Released on June 7, 2012
An error which resulted in some diagnostic imaging test results not being automatically faxed to the ordering physicians and posted to the Picture Archiving System (PACS) has been identified and corrected.
Diagnostic imaging administrators in the health regions have been following up with physicians' offices to ensure they are sent final diagnostic imaging test results for the affected exams. Not all health regions were affected by this issue. The regions with some affected diagnostic imaging test results included: Sunrise, Heartland, Five Hills, Prairie North, Cypress, Prince Albert Parkland and Mamawetan Churchill.
Patients will be notified by their physician if any follow up is required.
"The issue was corrected immediately upon discovery and while we sincerely regret the concern this may cause patients and health care providers awaiting results, it has provided us with valuable information to ensure something similar does not occur in the future," eHealth Saskatchewan CEO Susan Antosh said.
The error was discovered late Friday June 1 when eHealth Saskatchewan was doing some technical work to advance the provincial Radiology Information System (RIS), which is a computerized system for scheduling and ordering medical imaging procedures as well as distributing the results. The images related to those tests are displayed on the PACS. It was determined that this error affected the diagnostic imaging exams of 102 patients over a four-week period beginning April 30. There were approximately 23,000 diagnostic imaging exams done through the provincial RIS during that time.
The affected tests were for only a small number of recently added new procedures, or new combinations of exams for general x-rays, ultrasounds, CTs, mammograms and radio fluoroscopies. This did not affect MRIs or regular laboratory results. There was no breach of patient confidentiality.
eHealth is committed to helping patients and families receive the best care as quickly as possible. Secure eHealth databases such as RIS/PACS allow authorized providers convenient and timely access to test results and professional interpretation.
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For more information, contact:
Joan Petrie
eHealth Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-337-0976
Email: joan.petrie@ehealthsask.ca
Cell: 306-533-2402