New framework to differentiate staff accountability levels among public hospitals

The Hospital Authority (HA) will implement a just culture framework to distinguish staff accountability between human error, at-risk behavior, and reckless conduct. The framework will include appropriate response protocols to address each category effectively.

This came after HA announced that it has fully accepted the 31 recommendations suggested by the Review Committee on the Management of the Public Hospital System last week.

Speaking on a radio program on Monday, the HA's director of quality and safety Michael Wong Lap-gate emphasized that reckless conduct is the most serious category due to its significant individual responsibility.

Wong cited some of the instances of reckless conduct, ranging from a nurse who was distracted by a football game and distributed the wrong medications, to a surgeon performing surgery under the influence of alcohol.

He also advocated for hospitals to conduct their own reviews, such as regarding preventive measures and arrangements for incidents like patient falls.

However, the Hong Kong Patient's Voices chairman Alex Lam Chi-yau questioned the framework's effectiveness in promoting reforms if employees could remain in their jobs regardless of their mistakes.

He urged HA to establish a clear mechanism for disclosing incidents as it is uncertain whether incidents will be reported to the public when the hospital notified headquarters.