Canadian hospital completes cleanup of radiology-reading mess
The hospital in Western Canada that had to have thousands of radiology reads reinterpreted has “all but completed” the do-overs, according to a reporter-blogger at the Vancouver Sun.
The discrepancy rate was ultimately found to be around 10 percent—lower than first thought but still a clinically significant clip.
A health-system spokesperson emphasizes that the higher-than-average discrepancy rate means the potential existed to alter follow-up and/or treatment—but such potential “does not necessarily mean there are clinical concerns. The re-reading results have been shared with physicians for follow up with their patients, and it is those physicians who will determine if a discrepancy resulted in any change in diagnosis or treatment.”
The dicey reads that launched the corrective effort traced to a former director of medical imaging who was subsequently placed on leave.
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Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.