The Northern Health Authority says a radiologist working at Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace is on what it describes as “voluntary leave” after discrepancies were found in CT scans, ultrasound scans and general x-ray images.
Many Bulkley Valley patients are sent to Terrace for medical scans.
“The scans were read by one radiologist, between October 2016 and January 2017,” indicated the health authority in a statement released Friday morning.
“A group of radiologists at Vancouver General Hospital is assisting with the reading of more than 8,400 images (from 5,278 patients),” the release continued in referring to the situation as responding to “quality concerns.”
“This process is expected to be complete by the end of March. As results become available, physicians and patients will be notified.”
The authority added that the extensive scan review now underway “does not mean all of the original readings are inaccurate or incomplete, or that a discrepancy will result in negative clinical concern or adverse health impacts to the individuals affected.”
“These tests are used to support a physician diagnosis, and are not the only factor considered,” the email added.
