Princess Margaret Hospital gave appropriate treatment to a woman patient who died after falling from her bed, a special investigation panel has found.

She was admitted July 3 and suffered a hip fracture after the July 19 fall. She then suffered acute deterioration of her respiratory system and died July 21. Her family lodged a complaint with the hospital.

Releasing its investigation findings today, the panel said the medical care and nursing observation given to the patient was adequate and proper.

However, the panel considered that computerised tomography scan booking procedures and portable X-ray services need to be reviewed. It also suggested a review of bedpan procedures and that ward managers and nursing officers have more direct and continuous contact with patients' families.

The panel recommended a closer look at the nursing care process to simplify task-oriented duties and to enhance the quality of holistic nursing.

Immediate action taken

Having considered the panel's recommendations, the hospital will take a number of immediate actions. They include:

* producing an information kit for private imaging and computerised tomography scan booking, incorporating information like a summary list of hospital contacts and a flow-chart procedural guide;

* exploring the feasibility of appropriate use of the bedside commode;

* exploring means to improve the arrangements of portable X-ray services to reduce transportation time;

* reviewing the system on handling complaints and to reinforce the role of ward managers and nursing officers in this area;

* enhancing the named-nurse (designated case nurse) system to provide more proactive care and support for complex cases; and,

* reviewing the nursing care delivery model, and to simplify non-nursing duties to enhance the quality of holistic nursing.