Premature births on the rise in Singapore
TODAY reports: The national rate of preterm births has gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates in the past decade, said Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology,
By Eveline Gan, TODAY
POSTED: 11 Nov 2015 07:11
SINGAPORE: When Mdm Audrey Lim first saw her twin babies after giving birth to them at just 25 weeks in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), she knew they would face an uphill task to stay alive in the following months. “They had so little flesh on them that they looked two-dimensional. There were also so many tubes and wires going through them. At that moment, I felt so much heartache and helplessness,” said the 38-year-old property agent.
At birth, twins Ethan and Emma Low each weighed just slightly more than 700g. Despite their severe prematurity, the twins survived.
PRETERM BIRTHS INCREASING
It is estimated that about one in 10 babies is born too early. As preterm birth rates rise worldwide, Mdm Lim’s experience is no longer a rare occurrence - even in developed nations with top-notch medical care. A preterm birth is defined as one that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
The phenomenon has become increasingly more common here, too, said local experts TODAY spoke to ahead of World Prematurity Day on Nov 17.
Premature babies make up about 13.5 per cent of the babies born at KKH. Professor Victor Samuel Rajadurai, head and senior consultant at KKH’s Department of Neonatology, noted an increase in the incidence of preterm births seen at KKH, from 11 per cent to 13.5 per cent in the past decade. The national rate of preterm births has also gone up, from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent, despite low birth rates over the same period, said Prof Rajadurai.
No one knows for sure what triggers premature labour. However, several factors, including older maternal age due to delayed childbearing and the use of fertility treatments, have been known to increase the likelihood.
Assisted reproductive technology is now more commonly performed than before, and that increases a woman’s chance of multiple pregnancy, which is associated with a higher risk of preterm labour, said Associate Professor Su Lin Lin, senior consultant at National University Hospital (NUH) Women’s Centre. The number of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles done at NUH Women’s Centre has more than tripled in the past decade. About 700 IVF cycles were carried out at its centre last year.
Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, senior consultant and head of Inpatient Service at KKH’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, added that the risk of preterm delivery for twin pregnancies increases three to five times compared with a singleton pregnancy. In a triplet pregnancy, the risk increases to seven to nine times.
Assoc Prof Su said that advances in medicine have also made it possible for women with certain existing illnesses that affect fertility to conceive and go through a pregnancy. Some of these conditions, such as some kidney and autoimmune diseases, are linked to a higher risk of preterm labour.
Several studies have also linked preterm labour to high levels of chronic psychological and physical stress during pregnancy, but Assoc Prof Su said this area needs further research.
Current treatments to delay preterm labour include medication such as progesterone and tocolytic drugs to stop womb contractions, said Assoc Prof Tan. The mother is then given a steroid jab to hasten the baby’s lung
development.
In instances of very early preterm labour (less than 24 weeks of pregnancy), the doctor may recommend a cervical cerclage. This is a procedure where stitches hold the cervix closed to prevent a premature birth.
In spite of the medications given to slow down contractions, Mdm Lim - whose twins were conceived naturally - was fully dilated within half a day and nothing could stop her babies from arriving four months early.
SURVIVING PREMATURITY
According to the World Health Organisation, preterm birth is the leading cause of newborn deaths and the second-leading cause of deaths in children under the age of five. However, modern neonatal intensive care has made it possible for even the tiniest of babies to survive their prematurity. About 90 per cent of premature babies treated at KKH’s Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit (NICU) survive and the majority go on to live relatively normal lives, said Prof Rajadurai.
The two smallest survivors at KKH were born about 15 years ago, at 26 weeks, with a birth weight of 435g and 470g. At Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children’s Medical Institute, the lightest survivor was a 26-weeker who weighed 487g at birth in 2007. All three have gone on to lead normal lives.
However, Prof Rajadurai stressed that the above cases are exceptional as outcomes for premature babies born below 23 weeks’ gestation and/or birth weight of 500g are known to be “extremely poor”. Even with modern NICU care, the survival for premature babies born at 25 weeks is between 70 to 75 per cent, said Prof Rajadurai. About 30 per cent may have trouble with development.
After birth, Mdm Lim’s twins spent the first four months of their lives in the hospital battling a host of complications, including infections, liver and breathing problems. “The first year was the hardest because we had to constantly monitor their breathing at home, which could suddenly stop without warning. They were also hospitalised almost every other month due to low oxygen levels,” said Mdm Lim.
Today, the twins are growing well, apart from a few “manageable” health issues, said Mdm Lim. For instance, older twin Ethan has some vision-related problems and is having speech therapy as he stutters.
“Back then, my husband and I practically lived day by day not knowing what will happen to our babies. Now they look like any healthy kids who love to play and jump around. Looking back, we are really fortunate to have access to proper facilities and expertise to save our preemies,” she said.
Read the original TODAY report here.
-TODAY/av
- wong chee tat :)
Showing posts with label KK Women's and Children's Hospital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KK Women's and Children's Hospital. Show all posts
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Monday, December 23, 2013
Almost half of childhood stroke cases caused by head injuries
Almost half of childhood stroke cases caused by head injuries
By Hu Jielan and Shahidah Adriana
POSTED: 20 Dec 2013 17:37
Teenagers, children and even foetuses can suffer from stroke. KK Women's and Children's Hospital sees less than 20 cases of the condition each year, and almost half of them are caused by head injuries.
SINGAPORE: Teenagers, children and even foetuses can suffer from stroke.
Cases of childhood stroke in Singapore are rare.
KK Women's and Children's Hospital sees less than 20 cases of the condition each year.
Almost half of them are caused by head injuries.
Dr Christelle Chow from Department of Paediatrics’ Neurology Service at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital said: "The problems that children can face after they develop a stroke can be difficulty in moving around, in their activities of daily living, and keeping up with their peers in school."
The hospital said three out of 100,000 children in Singapore may suffer from stroke.
Inflammation or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the brain could also be the cause of childhood stroke.
Mr Ng's son suffered from stroke when he was 14.
Mr Ng thought he was having normal headaches in school, but his son lost control of the left side of his body.
He was rushed to the hospital, where they diagnosed him with childhood stroke.
Mr Ng saw significant improvement in his son's condition after two years of intensive treatment.
Mr Ng said: "If any normal person looks at him, he looks normal and he is doing everything that he is doing, yes. The only thing he has to be very careful with, is he is still on a certain medicine to thin his blood, to control the blood."
- CNA/gn
- wong chee tat :)
By Hu Jielan and Shahidah Adriana
POSTED: 20 Dec 2013 17:37
Teenagers, children and even foetuses can suffer from stroke. KK Women's and Children's Hospital sees less than 20 cases of the condition each year, and almost half of them are caused by head injuries.
SINGAPORE: Teenagers, children and even foetuses can suffer from stroke.
Cases of childhood stroke in Singapore are rare.
KK Women's and Children's Hospital sees less than 20 cases of the condition each year.
Almost half of them are caused by head injuries.
Dr Christelle Chow from Department of Paediatrics’ Neurology Service at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital said: "The problems that children can face after they develop a stroke can be difficulty in moving around, in their activities of daily living, and keeping up with their peers in school."
The hospital said three out of 100,000 children in Singapore may suffer from stroke.
Inflammation or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the brain could also be the cause of childhood stroke.
Mr Ng's son suffered from stroke when he was 14.
Mr Ng thought he was having normal headaches in school, but his son lost control of the left side of his body.
He was rushed to the hospital, where they diagnosed him with childhood stroke.
Mr Ng saw significant improvement in his son's condition after two years of intensive treatment.
Mr Ng said: "If any normal person looks at him, he looks normal and he is doing everything that he is doing, yes. The only thing he has to be very careful with, is he is still on a certain medicine to thin his blood, to control the blood."
- CNA/gn
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, July 18, 2013
My First Skool to implement measures to reassure parents amid alleged abuse case
My First Skool to implement measures to reassure parents amid alleged abuse case
POSTED: 18 Jul 2013 8:01 PM
My First Skool, which is embroiled in an alleged childcare abuse case, said it has put in place measures across all its centres to provide further reassurance to parents.
SINGAPORE: My First Skool, which is embroiled in an alleged childcare abuse case, said it has put in place measures across all its centres to provide further reassurance to parents.
On Wednesday, My First Skool was informed by the Early Childhood Development Agency through a warning letter that the licence tenure of its childcare centre at Blk 192 Toa Payoh would be cut from 24 months to six months with immediate effect.
The measures are aimed at improving its communications with parents, enhancing the incident review process, reinforcing the importance of proper care of children and stepping up support for teachers.
To improve parent communications, parents can direct their queries to its headquarters via a newly-set up email address (feedback@myfirstskool.com). Calls can also be made to its customer service team at 6634 9989.
My First Skool's management said it will see to the closure of all feedback.
As for improving the incident review process, it said all cases of injury, accident or mishandling reported through its principals or HQ are investigated thoroughly and promptly.
It added that complex cases will be assessed by an independent review panel with the aim to give parents greater assurance of transparency and accountability of the incident review process.
In terms of proper care for children, My First Skool said it will encourage staff to report questionable practices to their supervisors.
It wants its staff to escalate their feedback under its whistle-blowing policy should the issues not be satisfactorily attended to.
My First Skool said whistle blowing is done through an independent channel which reports to the board audit committee.
As for support for teachers, My First Skool said it will also deploy additional resources over time to assist teachers in managing classes that require more support.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
POSTED: 18 Jul 2013 8:01 PM
My First Skool, which is embroiled in an alleged childcare abuse case, said it has put in place measures across all its centres to provide further reassurance to parents.
SINGAPORE: My First Skool, which is embroiled in an alleged childcare abuse case, said it has put in place measures across all its centres to provide further reassurance to parents.
On Wednesday, My First Skool was informed by the Early Childhood Development Agency through a warning letter that the licence tenure of its childcare centre at Blk 192 Toa Payoh would be cut from 24 months to six months with immediate effect.
The measures are aimed at improving its communications with parents, enhancing the incident review process, reinforcing the importance of proper care of children and stepping up support for teachers.
To improve parent communications, parents can direct their queries to its headquarters via a newly-set up email address (feedback@myfirstskool.com). Calls can also be made to its customer service team at 6634 9989.
My First Skool's management said it will see to the closure of all feedback.
As for improving the incident review process, it said all cases of injury, accident or mishandling reported through its principals or HQ are investigated thoroughly and promptly.
It added that complex cases will be assessed by an independent review panel with the aim to give parents greater assurance of transparency and accountability of the incident review process.
In terms of proper care for children, My First Skool said it will encourage staff to report questionable practices to their supervisors.
It wants its staff to escalate their feedback under its whistle-blowing policy should the issues not be satisfactorily attended to.
My First Skool said whistle blowing is done through an independent channel which reports to the board audit committee.
As for support for teachers, My First Skool said it will also deploy additional resources over time to assist teachers in managing classes that require more support.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
My First Skool in Toa Payoh gets licence tenure cut
My First Skool in Toa Payoh gets licence tenure cut
By Kimberly Spykerman
POSTED: 18 Jul 2013 12:32 PM
The childcare centre involved in the alleged child abuse case has had its licence tenure cut from 24 months to six months.
SINGAPORE: The childcare centre involved in the alleged child abuse case has had its licence tenure cut from 24 months to six months.
Earlier this month, a teacher there was arrested after CCTV footage showed her allegedly dragging a three-year-old boy across the floor and pushing him to the floor with force.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said that it conducted its investigations at My First Skool in Toa Payoh and found that there were certain aspects that required improvements.
This means that ECDA will conduct more frequent checks at the centre and it will have to demonstrate its compliance with certain conditions. This includes providing better support and training to its teachers to handle difficult situations, clearer standard operating procedures for reporting incidents, and improving its programmes.
Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing added that following the alleged abuse incident, the priority is to strengthen processes within the sector, as well as build trust between parents, teachers and operators.
He said this on Thursday on the sidelines of a visit to teacher training programmes and pre-schools under the Crestar Education Group.
Mr Chan said: "Over the next six months we fully expect NTUC My First Skool to work closely with ECDA to comply with the regulations so that they can up their standards necessary. And then we will review the situation after six months."
- CNA/ac/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Kimberly Spykerman
POSTED: 18 Jul 2013 12:32 PM
The childcare centre involved in the alleged child abuse case has had its licence tenure cut from 24 months to six months.
SINGAPORE: The childcare centre involved in the alleged child abuse case has had its licence tenure cut from 24 months to six months.
Earlier this month, a teacher there was arrested after CCTV footage showed her allegedly dragging a three-year-old boy across the floor and pushing him to the floor with force.
The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said that it conducted its investigations at My First Skool in Toa Payoh and found that there were certain aspects that required improvements.
This means that ECDA will conduct more frequent checks at the centre and it will have to demonstrate its compliance with certain conditions. This includes providing better support and training to its teachers to handle difficult situations, clearer standard operating procedures for reporting incidents, and improving its programmes.
Acting Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing added that following the alleged abuse incident, the priority is to strengthen processes within the sector, as well as build trust between parents, teachers and operators.
He said this on Thursday on the sidelines of a visit to teacher training programmes and pre-schools under the Crestar Education Group.
Mr Chan said: "Over the next six months we fully expect NTUC My First Skool to work closely with ECDA to comply with the regulations so that they can up their standards necessary. And then we will review the situation after six months."
- CNA/ac/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
SingHealth reviews plans after illegal strike at SMRT
SingHealth reviews plans after illegal strike at SMRT
By Tan Weizhen, TODAY | Posted: 05 December 2012 0801 hrs
SINGAPORE: SingHealth, the country's largest public healthcare cluster, said it is reviewing its business contingency plans in the wake of the strike by SMRT's China bus drivers last week.
SingHealth, which oversees two hospitals - Singapore General Hospital and KK Women's and Children's Hospital - as well as five national specialty centres and nine polyclinics, is also undertaking "further risk assessments", its Deputy Group Director of Strategic Human Resources Goh Leong Huat said. SingHealth did not give details of what these assessments will entail.
SingHealth, which employs over 16,000 staff, did not respond to queries on how many foreign staff it has on its books. However, Mr Goh said that SingHealth employs foreign staff "based on calibrated assessment and balance of the need for trained healthcare workers".
Several other companies contacted were cagey when asked if they are reviewing their plans in the wake of the illegal strike.
Some said they have adopted measures to ensure they keep a low reliance on foreign manpower.
SingPost said it has a pool of temporary workers who can be activated when needed and it also encourages retirees and housewives to join the organisation by offering them flexible hours, a spokesman said. Foreign workers account for 13 per cent of SingPost's workforce across all business units.
The Changi Airport Group (CAG), though, "does not stipulate a foreign-local employee ratio" in its contracts with airport partners.
"They are expected to manage their respective workforce, and are required to provide contingency plans to provide for sufficient manpower resources to cope with unexpected staffing shortfalls ... or to deal with peak periods at the airport," said a CAG spokesperson.
Last week's illegal strike, which involved 171 bus drivers from China upset over their pay raises, brought into focus the public transport operators' growing dependence on foreigners and further served as a reminder to all firms to reflect on their management practices.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Manpower, feels that, in an "ideal situation", companies should manage their reliance on foreign workers by spreading them evenly across business units.
But a better solution, he said, was to offer better terms to attract Singaporeans to go for those jobs in the areas of essential services but are currently taken up by foreign workers.
He highlighted two areas that companies should examine: Wages, which are not attractive enough, and working conditions.
"Wage equity is an issue," said Mr Zaqy. "Why do bus drivers earn less than, for instance, taxi drivers, when their jobs can be tougher? Working conditions can also be bad, with some of them working long hours."
He added that wage equity is probably something only "organisations offering essential services" should look into.
- TODAY
- wong chee tat :)
By Tan Weizhen, TODAY | Posted: 05 December 2012 0801 hrs
SINGAPORE: SingHealth, the country's largest public healthcare cluster, said it is reviewing its business contingency plans in the wake of the strike by SMRT's China bus drivers last week.
SingHealth, which oversees two hospitals - Singapore General Hospital and KK Women's and Children's Hospital - as well as five national specialty centres and nine polyclinics, is also undertaking "further risk assessments", its Deputy Group Director of Strategic Human Resources Goh Leong Huat said. SingHealth did not give details of what these assessments will entail.
SingHealth, which employs over 16,000 staff, did not respond to queries on how many foreign staff it has on its books. However, Mr Goh said that SingHealth employs foreign staff "based on calibrated assessment and balance of the need for trained healthcare workers".
Several other companies contacted were cagey when asked if they are reviewing their plans in the wake of the illegal strike.
Some said they have adopted measures to ensure they keep a low reliance on foreign manpower.
SingPost said it has a pool of temporary workers who can be activated when needed and it also encourages retirees and housewives to join the organisation by offering them flexible hours, a spokesman said. Foreign workers account for 13 per cent of SingPost's workforce across all business units.
The Changi Airport Group (CAG), though, "does not stipulate a foreign-local employee ratio" in its contracts with airport partners.
"They are expected to manage their respective workforce, and are required to provide contingency plans to provide for sufficient manpower resources to cope with unexpected staffing shortfalls ... or to deal with peak periods at the airport," said a CAG spokesperson.
Last week's illegal strike, which involved 171 bus drivers from China upset over their pay raises, brought into focus the public transport operators' growing dependence on foreigners and further served as a reminder to all firms to reflect on their management practices.
Mr Zaqy Mohamad, a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Manpower, feels that, in an "ideal situation", companies should manage their reliance on foreign workers by spreading them evenly across business units.
But a better solution, he said, was to offer better terms to attract Singaporeans to go for those jobs in the areas of essential services but are currently taken up by foreign workers.
He highlighted two areas that companies should examine: Wages, which are not attractive enough, and working conditions.
"Wage equity is an issue," said Mr Zaqy. "Why do bus drivers earn less than, for instance, taxi drivers, when their jobs can be tougher? Working conditions can also be bad, with some of them working long hours."
He added that wage equity is probably something only "organisations offering essential services" should look into.
- TODAY
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
竹脚妇幼医院两名新生婴儿出院时被对调
Updated: 11/20/2012 07:41
竹脚妇幼医院两名新生婴儿出院时被对调
这两名新生婴儿是昨天出院。不过，院方搞乱两人的身份，直到其中一名家长发现婴儿身上的标签，写着另一名产妇的名字时，才揭发这起事件。
竹脚妇幼医院发生乌龙事件，两名新生婴儿出院时被对调。
这两名新生婴儿是昨天出院。不过，院方搞乱两人的身份，直到其中一名家长发现婴儿身上的标签，写着另一名产妇的名字时，才揭发这起事件。
院方在接获通知后，立刻展开调查，确认两名新生婴儿母亲的身份。目前，两名婴儿已经同亲生母亲团聚，他们情况良好。院方对事件感到遗憾，并展开彻底调查。院方也为两家人提供医药和心理上的援助。
医院非常严肃看待这起事件，并对事件展开全面检讨，院方也已经通知卫生部。医院向受影响的父母致歉，并承诺会采取所有必要措施，避免类似事件发生。
- wong chee tat :)
竹脚妇幼医院两名新生婴儿出院时被对调
这两名新生婴儿是昨天出院。不过，院方搞乱两人的身份，直到其中一名家长发现婴儿身上的标签，写着另一名产妇的名字时，才揭发这起事件。
竹脚妇幼医院发生乌龙事件，两名新生婴儿出院时被对调。
这两名新生婴儿是昨天出院。不过，院方搞乱两人的身份，直到其中一名家长发现婴儿身上的标签，写着另一名产妇的名字时，才揭发这起事件。
院方在接获通知后，立刻展开调查，确认两名新生婴儿母亲的身份。目前，两名婴儿已经同亲生母亲团聚，他们情况良好。院方对事件感到遗憾，并展开彻底调查。院方也为两家人提供医药和心理上的援助。
医院非常严肃看待这起事件，并对事件展开全面检讨，院方也已经通知卫生部。医院向受影响的父母致歉，并承诺会采取所有必要措施，避免类似事件发生。
- wong chee tat :)
Hospitals rely on tags, staff, parents to prevent mix-up of babies
Hospitals rely on tags, staff, parents to prevent mix-up of babies
By Sing Geok Shan | Posted: 20 November 2012 2153 hrs
SINGAPORE: Hospitals in Singapore have in place robust procedures to ensure that parents do not go home with the wrong baby.
But they also rely on staff and parents to prevent mistakes.
Channel NewsAsia checked with five hospitals on their systems, a day after KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) revealed its mix-up over two babies who were discharged to the wrong sets of parents on Sunday.
All babies are tagged and are carefully checked to ensure that they are matched with their mothers.
Still, the unexpected had happened at KKH.
The baby who left the hospital first had two correct tags with his mother's name.
The second baby was wearing mismatched tags.
One tag had the name of his mother, while the other carried the name of the mother of the first baby.
This incident has left many wondering why the checks were not thorough enough.
Other maternity hospitals that Channel NewsAsia checked with also rely on tagging.
Each baby is given two tags minutes after birth and when it is time to leave the hospital, staff would check both tags to confirm their identities.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital takes extra simple steps, such as getting the mothers to read out the babies' tags.
It also uses Radio-frequency identification to match baby and mother.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital's chief executive officer, Dr Kelvin Loh, said: "Only if the baby goes off the correct mother, the tag will give off a pleasant chime.
"If the baby goes to the wrong mother, it will actually sound off an alarm so that will be an additional mechanism that will help to match the baby to the right mother."
At least one other hospital is looking at using new technology to ensure that newborn babies are paired with the right mothers.
KKH is still investigating the mix-up and is working with the health ministry to ensure this will be the only and last mix-up incident.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Sing Geok Shan | Posted: 20 November 2012 2153 hrs
SINGAPORE: Hospitals in Singapore have in place robust procedures to ensure that parents do not go home with the wrong baby.
But they also rely on staff and parents to prevent mistakes.
Channel NewsAsia checked with five hospitals on their systems, a day after KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) revealed its mix-up over two babies who were discharged to the wrong sets of parents on Sunday.
All babies are tagged and are carefully checked to ensure that they are matched with their mothers.
Still, the unexpected had happened at KKH.
The baby who left the hospital first had two correct tags with his mother's name.
The second baby was wearing mismatched tags.
One tag had the name of his mother, while the other carried the name of the mother of the first baby.
This incident has left many wondering why the checks were not thorough enough.
Other maternity hospitals that Channel NewsAsia checked with also rely on tagging.
Each baby is given two tags minutes after birth and when it is time to leave the hospital, staff would check both tags to confirm their identities.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital takes extra simple steps, such as getting the mothers to read out the babies' tags.
It also uses Radio-frequency identification to match baby and mother.
Mount Elizabeth Hospital's chief executive officer, Dr Kelvin Loh, said: "Only if the baby goes off the correct mother, the tag will give off a pleasant chime.
"If the baby goes to the wrong mother, it will actually sound off an alarm so that will be an additional mechanism that will help to match the baby to the right mother."
At least one other hospital is looking at using new technology to ensure that newborn babies are paired with the right mothers.
KKH is still investigating the mix-up and is working with the health ministry to ensure this will be the only and last mix-up incident.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
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 :)
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 :)
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