Island Health is reviewing diagnostic imaging reports made by one radiologist, after “questions were raised” about the accuracy of his readings.
The radiologist, who worked as a locum at Campbell River Hospital, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Oceanside Health Centre in Parksville and West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni, produced thousands of diagnostic reports for Island Health.
The tests — which include CT scans, X-rays and ultrasounds — were done between January 2013 and Feb. 22, 2016. Island Health is undertaking the review as a precautionary step.
If any significant clinical discrepancies are found, patients will be contacted by their physicians.
“Until records are reviewed, it is not known if there is cause for concern for any individual patient,” Island Health said.
Ultrasounds are dynamic and it’s difficult to make errors with X-rays, so the biggest concern is with CT scan results, Island Health spokeswoman Shannon Marshall said.
The review will begin with 500 CT scans completed at Campbell River Hospital, the last Island Health facility at which the radiologist worked. The initial review could take up to three weeks.
If errors are found, the review will be expanded.
“Depending on the outcome of that, we’ll determine whether or not to proceed with reviewing up to 20,000 diagnostic tests,” including 2,400 CT scans, Marshall said.
The reports are being reread at Vancouver General Hospital.
Island Health emphasized that diagnostic imaging is used to support physician diagnoses and is not the only factor considered.
Diagnostic imaging done outside of the time frame and by other radiologists is not part of the review.
Imaging reports conducted between April 29 and May 31, 2011, and June 4 and 23, 2014, in the Kootenay Boundary area are also being reviewed by the Interior Health Authority.
