A radiologist whose diagnostic imaging reports are being reviewed by Island Health spent a six month locum in Campbell River ending in February, 2016.

鈥淭he radiologist maintained locum privileges in Island Health from 2013 and has worked as a locum in Campbell River, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, West Coast General Hospital and Oceanside Health Centre,鈥� says Shannon Marshall, an Island Health spokesperson. 鈥淭his included a six-month period at Campbell River ending February, 2016.鈥�

Island Health announced today it is undertaking a review of diagnostic imaging reports (CT scans, X-rays) from a radiologist who worked as a locum for Island Health at various times between January, 2013 and February, 2016.

This review is taking place as a precautionary step and until records are reviewed, it is not known if there is cause for concern for any individual patient, a statement from Island Health says. Diagnostic imaging done outside of this time frame, and by other radiologists is not part of this review.

Island Health will be reviewing the results of approximately 500 CT Scans that were completed for patients at Campbell River Hospital prior to Feb. 22, 2016. If any significant clinical discrepancies are found, patients will be contacted by their physician.

From the results of this first CT Scan review, it may be determined that a larger Island Health review may be necessary that could involve re-reading up to 20,000 diagnostic tests at Campbell River Hospital, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni.

Island Health says it recognizes this information may cause concerns for some patients and it is working to complete this review as soon as possible. Diagnostic imaging is used to support a physician diagnosis and is not the only factor considered in diagnosis and treatment, the Island Health statement says.

A locum tenens physician is a doctor who works in the place of the regular physician that is absent or when a hospital/practice is short-staffed.

A review of 700 scans and x-rays done at Terrace鈥檚 hospital is also being done by Northern Health, Northern Health has notified the patients and their doctors of clinically significant errors in radiology interpretation.

Background

Scope of the review:

Island Health is conducting this review as questions have been raised about the accuracy of readings by one locum radiologist.

The review process now underway involves re-reading the results of 500 CT scan reports completed for patients at Campbell River Hospital prior to Feb. 22, 2016.

This is a precautionary step, and until each report is re-read, it will not be known if there is cause for concern for any patient that had a CT Scan during this time frame.

Individuals who had a CT Scan at Campbell River Hospital after Feb. 22, 2016 are not affected.

Review timeline:

Reports are being re-read by Vancouver General Hospital radiologists. This process is underway and it is anticipated that all reports will be re-read within three weeks.

Patient/physician notification:

Should a discrepancy be noted in any of the reports that are being re-read, Island Health will contact the patient via their physician.

Next steps:

Depending on the results of the initial review, Island Health may have to conduct a larger review that could involve re-reading up to 20,000 diagnostic tests including approximately 2,400 CT Scans in Island Health that were completed for patients between January, 2013 and February 22, 2016. These additional diagnostic tests were completed between January, 2013 and February 22, 2016 at West Coast General Hospital in Port Alberni, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Campbell River Hospital and the Oceanside Health Centre in Parksville.