Ga. hospital reviewing 900 mammograms after error

A hospital in Georgia has decided to take a second look at some mammograms performed there after reporting that, starting in 2009 and continuing into the beginning of this year, one of its radiology employees processed mammography tests without having them read by a radiologist.

On May 10,  Houston Healthcare, the parent company of Perry Hospital in Perry, Ga., announced it had decided to undertake an immediate “broader review” of the hospital’s mammography program after discovering the employee’s error during a quality check of mammography tests.

Houston Healthcare will have a radiologist review approximately 900 mammograms completed at the hospital over the time in question to verify the results. Most of the patients involved are being contacted by phone, and some by letter, to inform them of the situation, according to Houston Healthcare. In addition, they are being given the option of undergoing another mammogram at no charge.

According to a report by WMAZ-TV in Macon, Ga., Houston Healthcare has asked the Perry Police to investigate the incident.