External Review

Media Release

ATTENTION: NEWS / HEALTH / COMMUNITY EDITORS

External Review of CT Scans and Mammograms Complete

Trillium Health Partners Releases Findings and Thanks Patients, their Families
and the Community for their Understanding

Mississauga/West Toronto (December 5, 2013) – Trillium Health Partners announced today the completion of the external expert review of CT scans and mammograms, which was launched after the hospital identified a performance issue with a radiologist who previously worked at Mississauga Hospital and Queensway Health Centre.
On December 4, the hospital received a letter from Dr. Brian Yemen, the external expert hired to oversee the review, outlining his findings and conclusions. The external review found that after a rigorous assessment of 3,537 scans that included a physician-facilitated medical chart review, necessary patient retesting and medical follow-up:

• 11 patients (0.3%) were identified as experiencing a clinically significant event:
• 8 patients had already been picked up by the health system through other testing and clinical evaluation.
• 3 patients were identified through the external review. They now have a diagnosis and are receiving care.
• In more than 99% of all scans, patients did not experience a clinically significant event.

"The primary purpose of this review was to ensure our patients are safe and getting the right care," said Dr. Dante Morra, Chief of Staff, Trillium Health Partners. "While this review was specific to a performance issue with one radiologist, the hospital is further strengthening its quality assurance by implementing a formal peer review program within its radiology department."

Dr. Yemen also expanded the initial review mandate to include x-ray and ultrasound tests. The audit determined that these modalities required no further investigation, as no clinically significant events were identified for patients.

Based on these findings, Dr. Yemen has informed the hospital that he has concluded the external review.

For detailed findings of the external review click here »

"We sincerely apologize to patients who experienced a delay in treatment," said Michelle DiEmanuele, President and CEO, Trillium Health Partners. "I would like to thank our patients, their families and the community for their understanding and support during the past several months."

The hospital confirmed that throughout the course of the external review physicians and patients were notified with their results.

The hospital also stated that the Patient and Physician Access Lines will remain open for the remainder of the year to support any patient who continues to have questions or concerns arising from the review.

About Trillium Health Partners
Trillium Health Partners is one of the largest community-based acute care facilities in Canada. Comprised of Credit Valley Hospital, the Mississauga Hospital and the Queensway Health Centre. Trillium Health Partners serves the growing and diverse populations of Mississauga, West Toronto and surrounding communities. Trillium Health Partners is a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. Trillium Health Partners is an associate member of the Toronto Academic Health Science Network.

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For more information:
Carol Kotacka
Director, Communications, Patient & Community Relations
Trillium Health Partners
Cell: 647-271-0386
Carol.Kotacka@trilliumhealthpartners.ca
www.trilliumhealthpartners.ca