Press Release

Expert Panel announces completion of patient lookback

18 Apr 2012

The Expert Panel on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection of Health Care Workers (Panel) convened a third meeting today (April 18) to review the outcome of the lookback investigation on a recent referral of an HIV infected public hospital health care worker. The Panel is of the view that the lookback has been thoroughly conducted by the Hospital Authority with a very high follow-up rate of the priority patients who were all tested negative for HIV.

Echoed by Professor Julian Gold, Director of the Albion Street Centre and Regional Collaborating Centre of HIV/AIDS of the World Health Organisation, who is an external expert on this case assessment, the Panel considers that the lookback has achieved its objective. As there is no indication for another phase of lookback, the Panel has decided that the case will be closed.

The Panel reiterates the importance of adhering to standard precaution for infection control and upholding confidentiality of HIV infected people, including health care workers.