MOH Suspended Healthcare Services of Concord International Hospital Due to Significant Lapses

By now, you should be aware that multiple businesses have to suspend their businesses due to COVID-19, and they’re working hard to resume business by ensuring that there won’t be any safety lapses.

However, somewhere in Adam Road, a hospital has been told to suspend its healthcare services because it didn’t ensure that there won’t be any safety lapses.

Here’s the ironic story.

MOH Suspended Healthcare Services of Private Hospital Due to Significant Lapses

The Ministry of Health (MOH) has ordered Concord International Hospital (19 Adam Road) to temporarily stop the provision of all healthcare services with effect from 19 December 2020, after inspections revealed that the Hospital had failed to abide by the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics (PHMC) Act in several areas which would have an impact to patient safety.

The private hospital was previously known as Fortis Surgical Hospital before being acquired by Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited in April 2015. Concord Medical Services is a company located in China that owns and operates a network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centres throughout China.

As of 19 December, Concord International Hospital had on-going outpatient medical appointments with four patients, and there were no patients warded at the hospital.

MOH has informed Concord International Hospital to work with their medical team to review the treatment plans and ensure the proper continuity of outpatient care for these four  patients, until the Hospital has addressed all regulatory lapses and MOH has assessed that the Hospital is ready for operations again.

Patients who are currently seeking care at the hospital are advised to speak with their existing medical practitioners in charge of their clinical care to discuss alternative care plans at the other licensed healthcare facilities for the time being.

Those who intend to seek medical care in the Hospital are also advised to do so at  alternative licensed healthcare facilities for the time being. Affected patients who have queries may also reach MOH via [email protected].

So, what are the lapses?

Equipment & Medications Not Maintained or Not Available

Inspections carried out by MOH on Concord International Hospital from 14 to 16 December revealed that the Hospital had several significant lapses.

Multiple life-saving/ patient use equipment and medications were either not maintained or not available in the critical areas of the Hospital such as the Intensive Care Unit and the Operating Theatre.

There was also a lack of quality control in the laboratory and infection control processes, which poses significant risks to patient safety and well-being.

What is ironic is that the private hospital was then one of the first private hospitals here to take in COVID-19 patients so as to free up capacity in public hospitals to manage more severe cases.

MOH also reminds all private and public sector healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and clinical laboratories currently licensed under the PHMC Act, to fully comply with the Act at all times, to ensure that safety and quality of clinical care are met at all times.

All licensed premises are subject to regular and ad-hoc inspections and audits to ensure compliance to the Act.

MOH will not hesitate to take enforcement action against healthcare facilities that fail to comply with the relevant regulatory requirements, which may include a fine of up to $20,000 and/or a revocation of the licence.

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