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SINGAPORE – Concord International Hospital (CIH) was ordered to temporarily suspend the provision of all health care services as of December 19, after inspections by the Ministry of Health (MOH) found several important lapses affecting the patient safety.
The Health Ministry said on Saturday (December 26) that inspections it conducted between December 14 and 16 found that the hospital had not complied with the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics (PHMC) Act.
“Various equipment and life-saving drugs were not maintained or were not available in critical areas of the hospital, such as the intensive care unit and the operating room.
“There was also a lack of quality control in the laboratory and infection control processes, posing significant risks to patient safety and well-being,” the ministry said.
It added that as of Dec. 19, CIH had ongoing outpatient medical appointments with four patients. There were no patients kept in the hospital.
The Ministry of Health has advised CIH to work with its medical team to review treatment plans and ensure adequate continuity of outpatient care for the four patients, while the hospital addresses their lapses.
In the meantime, those who intend to seek medical attention at the hospital are advised to do so at other licensed health centers.
CIH was one of the private hospitals cordoned off by the Health Ministry in March to help care for Covid-19 patients who are clinically well but tested positive for the virus.
Other private hospitals that were used to help reduce stress on the public health system include Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Gleneagles Hospital.
The ministry reminded all PHMC authorized health centers to ensure that the safety and quality of clinical care is adhered to at all times.
Health care facilities that do not comply with the Act could face a fine of up to $ 20,000 and / or have their license revoked.
The Health Ministry added that health care facilities will be licensed under a new Health Services Law from the second half of 2021.
The new law will further strengthen regulatory compliance in various health care services to ensure the continued provision of safe care to patients, the Health Ministry said.
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