Health Topics/Services
Western Health Reviews Medical Imaging Reports with an Addendum
On June 23, Western Health learned that addenda to medical imaging reports were not being distributed to physician offices via the automatic fax system. While updates such as the addenda to medical imaging reports were included in the electronic distribution, they had not been included in the reports generated by the automatic fax system installed in October 2013. A review of 635 reports with an addendum found that 13 patients had a recommendation for routine follow-up testing that is past due.
An addendum is an addition to a report already shared with physicians. In this situation, an addendum may have documented the communication of the information in the report, may correct information in the report or may add to the information in the original report.
“I want to assure the public that Western Health has undertaken a thorough investigation into this issue and we have implemented corrective actions to improve the functionality of our electronic report distribution system,†said Dr. Susan Gillam, CEO and President, Western Health. “I want to apologize to the 13 patients impacted and to any person who may experience undue worry as a result of this issue.â€
Western Health has contacted the physicians for the 13 patients and ensured that any follow-up testing that is required for the patient has been scheduled at the earliest possible date. The 13 patients have been contacted and appointments have been given for the follow-up testing. Appointments have been scheduled over the next several weeks at a time convenient for each patient.
“Western Health is committed to ensuring quality in the services we provide our patients,†said Ms. Lisa Hoddinott, VP Information and Quality. “Western Health has taken steps to enhance the auditing processes and validation of the information systems we use to deliver our services.â€
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Media Contact:
Kelli O’Brien
Vice President Long Term Care and Rural Health
Western Health
(709) 637-5245
kelliobien@westernhealth.nl.ca