Western Health Reviewing Mammogram Results of Multi-Patient Occurrence
As a result of its preliminary review of an issue first detailed by Central Health during their media availability last week related to the viewing of mammography images on the proper viewing workstations, Western Health has confirmed that some mammograms were read on viewing workstations that did not meet technical standards for the review of mammography images.
With support from the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information (NLCHI) and clinical experts, the preliminary review to date indicates that approximately 7554 mammography reports within Western Health, representing approximately 5,956 people completed between October 1, 2013, and August 22, 2022, inclusive, will require further review. This number is preliminary and may change as the review progresses.
The review to date suggests this multi-patient occurrence presents a low risk to patients; however, out of an abundance of caution, Western Health will review all mammograms read on 3 megapixel workstations and we will notify by letter all people whose mammography reports are subject to this review to notify them of our process.
“Western Health first became aware of the multi-patient occurrence in Central Health on August 22, 2022 and initiated a preliminary review to assess if mammogram images were being read on viewing stations that do not meet technical standards,” said Michelle House, President and CEO (Interim) of Western Health. “We want to assure patients that we are concerned with the mammograms being viewed on the proper workstations and not the mammograms themselves. Western Health apologizes for any concern this has caused and is committed to providing quality service with the safety of our clients, patients, and residents our top priority.”
Following the full review, patients whose report does not show any discrepancies or differences in interpretation will receive an additional letter from Western Health as soon as possible verifying this.
Western Health is taking the following steps for those patients whose reports show possible discrepancies to inform them of their required next steps:
- contacting patients’ primary health care provider;
- contacting patients by phone;
- contacting patients with a follow-up letter.
Western Health values high quality services. The safety of all people in our region remains our priority. Our goal is to ensure that our procedures meet standards while providing safe patient, client, and resident care.
To address any further questions or concerns, a toll-free phone number has been set up at 1-833-960-4574 to connect people with a Western Health representative at the Client Relations office.
Western Health thanks patients for their understanding while this review is ongoing. Patients with scheduled mammograms are not affected and these mammograms are proceeding according to schedule and will be read to the proper technical standards.