[ad_1]
SINGAPORE: Concord International Hospital was ordered to suspend the provision of all health care services as of December 19 after “several major lapses” were found affecting patient safety, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) said in a press release on Saturday (December 26).
Inspections conducted by the ministry found that the private hospital on Adam Road “did not comply with the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act (PHMC) in several areas that would have an impact on patient safety.”
Several major lapses were found during inspections conducted Dec. 14-16, the Health Ministry said.
“Multiple equipment and medications for patient use and life saving 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.”
Concord International Hospital has since suspended its health services and the Health Ministry is working with it to review lapses and processes, the ministry said.
As of December 19, Concord International Hospital had ongoing outpatient appointments with four patients. No patient was protected in the hospital.
“The Ministry of Health has informed Concord International Hospital to work with its medical team to review treatment plans and ensure adequate continuity of outpatient care for these four patients, until the hospital has addressed all regulatory failures and the Ministry Health has assessed that the hospital is ready for operations again. “
Those who intend to seek care at the hospital have been advised by the ministry to do so at other temporarily licensed health centers.
LEE: The Ministry of Health will strengthen Singapore’s long-term health system even while fighting COVID-19: Gan Kim Yong
Concord International Hospital was one of several private hospitals that went online to receive healthy and stable COVID-19 patients in March to ensure sufficient medical care capacity during the pandemic in Singapore.
In a Facebook post on December 23, Concord International Hospital said it had taken over a new administration at the end of November and would relaunch the hospital in late January.
“With input from the Ministry of Health in view of the change of ownership, management has decided to take the opportunity to renovate the hospital, improve our protocols and introduce new services to better meet the needs of patients in the future,” he said.
The relaunched hospital will have new specialties and unique treatments with tailored service and a new name, he added.
The Ministry of Health reminded all public and private sector healthcare facilities licensed under the PHMC Act, including clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, and clinical laboratories, to ensure their full compliance with the Act,
Health facilities that fail to meet regulatory requirements face fines of up to S $ 20,000 or the revocation of their licenses, or both.
The Ministry of Health added that healthcare facilities in Singapore will be licensed under the new Health Services Act from the second half of 2021.
“The new Law will further strengthen governance and regulatory compliance in various health care services to ensure the continued provision of safe care to patients in an evolving health care landscape,” said the Ministry of Health.
