Concern over errors spurs review of Ontario radiologist
More than 3,000 Canadian patients are awaiting the results of a review of their imaging exams after suspicions regarding diagnostic errors were reported at Trillium Health Partners hospitals in Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario.
Following Trillium’s announcement of the review, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has launched an investigation into the work of Ivo “Ivan” Slezic, MD, the radiologist who was allegedly responsible for the errors at Mississauga Hospital and Queensway Health Centre, according to the Toronto Star.
A total of 3,500 CT and mammography reports prepared by Slezic between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2013, are included in the review. Trillium informed all patients affected that their cases are being reviewed.
While the review and CPSO probe are being conducted, Slezic has voluntarily stopped practicing. In late 2011, he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Slezic returned to work in 2012 until his hospital privileges were revoked in April of this year, according to the Toronto Star.
Houda Rafle, a patient who received a CT scan at Mississauga Hospital in March, has come forward publicly, telling CTV News that her initial scan revealed no cancer when in fact she had a tumor above her heart that had spread to her lungs before subsequent tests revealed the disease.
The Toronto Star reported that the Trillium review has already identified one misread CT scan that resulted in problems for the patient, but more details were not released.
Evan joined TriMed in 2011, writing primarily for Health Imaging. Prior to diving into medical journalism, Evan worked for the Nine Network of Public Media in St. Louis. He also has worked in public relations and education. Evan studied journalism at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on broadcast media.