KKH apologises for baby swap incident

KKH apologises for baby swap incident
By Shing Geok Shan | Posted: 19 November 2012 2012 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: Two new-born babies were wrongly discharged to different mothers at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) on Sunday.

The babies have been reunited with their biological parents and are doing well.

KKH said the incident came to light when one of the parents noticed that the baby taken home wore an identification tag belonging to another mother.

This happened about an hour after they brought him home.

KKH said all babies have double tags, and this baby had an incorrect tag and a correct tag on his legs when he was given to the wrong parents.

The hospital suspected that checks were not carried out properly when the baby was being discharged.

The other baby, also a boy, was with the wrong parents for about 10 hours.

He was wearing two correct tags but was given to the wrong set of parents during discharge.

The hospital informed the parents after a blood test of the first baby confirmed the mix-up.

It has conducted DNA tests on the babies and is waiting for the results.

KKH said on Monday that it deeply regrets this error and is now carrying out thorough investigations to find out how this error occurred.

It is extending full support to both families -- medically and emotionally.

Both mothers have been offered counselling by the hospital.

KKH said it takes a very serious view of the incident and it unreservedly apologised to the parents for this error and pledged to take all steps to prevent any recurrence.

A full review is being carried out, and the Ministry of Health has been informed.

- CNA/lp

- wong chee tat :)