Frontline hospital staff have welcomed the Hospital Authority's new HA Risk Alert publication which features articles on patient safety and issues for healthcare professionals.

The authority published the third issue of the bi-monthly publication today with features on retained guidewires and infant abduction.

It said staff responded positively to the first two issues which presented overseas examples of hospital mishaps and other healthcare problems.

The publication is part of the authority's Sentinel Event Policy to ensure swift and effective management of hospital mishaps to minimise their impact on patients. The policy was implemented in October as a risk management and communication initiative to enhance the reporting and monitoring of adverse incidents in public hospitals.

The programme will help prevent similar incidents by ensuring thorough investigation and staff education.