All feasible steps taken to save mom, says hospital

Doctors had taken "all feasible measures" to save a 31-year-old mother who died after childbirth last month, according to Hong Kong Adventist Hospital.

The private hospital in Tsuen Wan has submitted a report on the July 6 incident, said the Department of Health, which is still investigating the case.

According to Adventist the mother was hospitalized and scheduled to go through natural labor on July 5 but had to undergo an emergency C-section.

"The patient was in stable condition and stayed conscious following labor. But her situation deteriorated in the early hours [of July 6]," it said.

Doctors and nurses kept a close eye on the mother's situation and gave her medication and blood transfusion to try to save her life, the hospital said.

"As the patient's situation continued to deteriorate, the mother's attending doctor decided to conduct a uterus removal surgery. Many doctors from the intensive care unit and specialists joined in the treatment," the hospital said.

"The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit after the surgery and the medical team used all feasible measures to save her with full efforts."

The mother's condition continued to worsen and she died on the same day. No details were released on the baby's condition. The hospital expressed its condolences, saying it is maintaining communication and providing assistance to the mother's family.

It said the incident was reported to the Department of Health on July 6 and that the case had been referred to the Coroner's Court. The department confirmed it received a report and launched an investigation.

The hospital has submitted a report within four weeks and authorities are still carrying out the investigation, it said.

The department said if such a medical incident happened in July, it will be published on the website of the Office for Regulation of Private Health Care Facilities by September, unless major public health incidents occur.

The hospital recorded a similar incident in August last year when a 30-year-old woman died after giving birth.

Adventist said the woman died of severe complications after labor and medics had taken all measures, including blood transfusion, surgery and intensive care, to save her life, but failed.

After an investigation, the department said in September last year that it did not find any evidence showing the hospital had violated the Private Health Care Facilities Ordinance that led to the death of the mother.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com