Flash News

Statement: Water Seepage in Operating Theatre of CUHKMC

24 March 2025

During an eye surgery in one room of the Day Surgery Centre of CUHK Medical Centre (CUHKMC) on 10 March, towards the end of the surgery, water was found dripping from the ceiling towards the end of the operating table. The clinical team immediately used a cloth to stop the dripping and at the same time covered the patient's head and surgical instruments with a sterile surgical drape. The surgery was completed uneventfully. After the operation, the patient received proper post-operative monitoring and care, and her post-operative recovery was not affected.

After the incident, CUHKMC has immediately suspended the use of the operating theatre in question and has identified the source of the water seepage. Repair work has been conducted. As this incident does not fall under the category of reportable cases to the Department of Health (DH), CUHKMC did not report it to the DH on the day of surgery.

CUHKMC has subsequently informed the DH about the incident and follow-up actions, will continue to keep close communication with the DH, and submit an investigative report to the DH as requested. After the repair work is completed, CUHKMC will thoroughly disinfect the concerned operating room and conduct air testing to ensure that the operating theatre would only be reopened after the air quality and environmental conditions fully comply with the clinical requirements. CUHKMC has strengthened inspection of the relevant facilities to prevent similar incidents from happening again.