As a precautionary measure to ensure patient safety, the Department of Health’s provincial diagnostic imaging program is conducting a review of a radiologist’s work.
The radiologist began work on the Island December 2, 2007, and on April 2, 2008, voluntarily agreed to a leave of absence while a thorough review takes place. This physician is very well qualified, has as an excellent career track record and has been extremely cooperative in this process.
It is standard practice on Prince Edward Island for radiologists to monitor each other’s diagnostic imaging (DI) tests. Earlier this month, when three tests were reviewed by the radiologist’s colleagues and amended reports had to be issued, a sample audit was carried out as a quality review check.
This preliminary sample audit, consisting of 10 percent of the DI tests read by the radiologist, showed an unacceptable error rate so a decision was made at that time to do a further evaluation of all images read by the radiologist.
“Patient safety and quality care are our top priorities and that’s why this review is happening,” says Health Minister Doug Currie. “We know exactly which images were read by the radiologist over the past four months and all of them will be evaluated again to ensure amended reports are sent to attending or referring physicians if necessary.” Approximately 4500 patients are affected and a total of 5700 images will be evaluated. That process is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. Nuclear medicine, bone mineral densitometry (BMD) and mammography exams were not affected.
“It is very important to remember that diagnostic imaging tests are only a part of a patient’s care and treatment,” said Dr. Colin Foley, provincial medical director, diagnostic imaging services. “Patients typically go through a variety of tests leading up to their diagnoses and have more than one health care professional collaborating in the overall care.”
Letters will be sent to every patient whose tests will be evaluated. A toll-free information line has been set up for those who are unable to contact their physician or are without a family doctor. This line is for general inquires and test results will not be available at this number. If a change in treatment plan is required, patients will be contacted by an attending or referring physician.
The number is 1-888-894-0314 and for those calling in the Charlottetown area, the number is 894-0314. The line will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, messages can be left and calls will be returned as soon as possible.
I would like to acknowledge the provincial diagnostic program, including the radiologists, for their commitment to providing safe, high-quality diagnostic imaging services to Island residents,” said Minister Currie. “They take great pride in their work and they are to be commended for carrying out this audit so promptly and thoroughly.”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Provincial Diagnostic Imaging (DI) Services Radiologist Review April 28, 2008
Why is this review taking place?
This review is happening as a precautionary measure to ensure patient safety and quality care.
It is standard practice on Prince Edward Island for radiologists to monitor each other’s image readings. Earlier this month, when three readings were reviewed by the radiologist’s colleagues and amended reports had to be issued, a sample audit was carried out as a quality review check.
This preliminary sample audit, consisting of 10 percent of images read by the radiologist, showed an unacceptable error rate so a decision was made at that time to do a further evaluation of all images read by the radiologist.
When did this preliminary sample audit take place?
It took place between April 11-23.
What was the error rate?
The preliminary audit showed an error rate of between 8 and 19 percent depending on the type of test (regular x-rays, MRIs, CT Scans or Ultra-sound) with an average error rate of 12 percent.
What is considered an acceptable error rate?
There aren’t any national standards and the literature varies widely for acceptable error rates ranging from between 2 and 20 percent. On the Island we strive for an error rate less than 5 percent in our quality audits.
How many patients are affected?
Approximately 4500 patients and a total of 5700 images will be evaluated. Any patient whose test results or treatment needs to be adjusted, will be notified.
It is important to remember that a diagnostic imaging procedure is only part of a patient’s assessment and supplementary reports to the initial reports are not uncommon.
Patients typically go through a variety of tests and have more than one health care professional collaborating in the overall care.
How will a patient know if their diagnostic imagining test is being reviewed?
Letters will be sent to every patient whose tests will be reviewed. A toll-free information line has been set up for those who are unable to contact their physician or are without a family doctor. This line is for general inquires and test results will not be available at this number. If a change in treatment plan is required, patients will be contacted by an attending or referring physician.
The number is 1-888-894-0314 and for those calling in the Charlottetown area, the number is
894-0314. The line will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, messages can be left and calls will be returned as soon as possible.
What is the potential impact on the health of patients?
The results of the evaluation so far show that the majority of cases were not of a serious nature. Amended reports on exams read during the initial audit have already been sent out to the requesting and attending physicians according to standard process for reports.
As the remainder of the evaluation work is being performed, any diagnostic imaging reports which differ from the original will be sent to the requesting and attending physician as soon as possible.
How long will this evaluation process take?
The process is expected to be completed in the next few weeks. Efforts are underway to bring in another radiologist on a short-term basis to assist with this work.
Will there be any mammography tests reviewed?
No. Mammography, nuclear medicine and bone mineral densitometry (BMD) exams were not affected.
How long has this radiologist been working in Prince Edward Island?
The radiologist began work on the Island on December 2, 2007, and on April 2, 2008 voluntarily agreed to a leave of absence while a thorough evaluation takes place. This physician is very well qualified, has as an excellent career track record and has been extremely cooperative in this process.
Why isn’t this radiologist’s name being released?
Identification of the radiologist would not have a bearing on the outcome of the evaluation or provide any benefit to patients. DI services know exactly which images were read by the radiologist over the past four months and all of them will be evaluated to ensure amended reports will be issued to physicians if necessary. Any patient whose test results or treatment plan needs to be adjusted, will be notified.
Will this radiologist come back to work in PEI?
There are no current plans for this radiologist to return to work in PEI.