HEALTH Minister Lawrence Springborg has ordered an independent investigation into a major failure relating to checking of 48,000 Gold Coast x-rays.
It’s been revealed the failure to properly check the x-rays – dating back to September last year – has so far involved what Gold Coast Health is calling two “adverse patient outcomes”.
It wouldn’t clarify exactly what that meant at a press conference this morning, citing patient privacy.
Hard on the heels of Gold Coast Health’s admission this morning, Mr Springborg said an investigation on the failure, its consequences should be considered – and it would also recommend further remedial and appropriate action.
“I have asked the Director-General to prepare terms of reference and to identify a qualified person to head an inquiry into these matters,” the Minister said.
“X-ray reporting is an important aid to treatment, but it also serves as a sentinel to protect Queenslanders from illnesses they may not even know about.”
Mr Springborg said he had advice that the problems on the Gold Coast were isolated.
“But the inquiry will canvas current procedures state-wide and ensure effective fail-safes apply,” he said.
“Delays and backlogs in this system cannot be permitted. We need clear lines to differentiate the categories of medical imagery that are reported and the protocols and timelines that apply.
“These tasks will be pursued by the inquiry and I will report on the outcomes in State Parliament.”
EARLIER
GOLD Coast Health board has fessed up to a major blunder this morning – failing to properly check a whopping number of x-rays.
The board called a press conference this morning to admit the bungle, revealing 48,000 plain x-rays that haven’t been checked by a specialist radiologist across Gold Coast hospitals.
The major reporting issue dates back to September – and a review of the 48,000 x-rays has been sparked by two “adverse patient outcomes”.
Gold Coast Health wouldn’t elaborate on the two “adverse” outcomes, citing patient privacy.
The health board has requested Health Minister Lawrence Springborg appoint an independent expert to help with the review.
X-rays are always checked by a radiographer and a doctor but the hospital has failed in its third step of having them checked by a specialist radiologist.
There are 48,000 low-risk film x-rays that haven’t been reviewed since September and of those 22,000 have been prioritised in the review to clear the backlog.
Health board chief executive Ron Calvert said they’d been trying to address the issue for some time.
“Our efforts to remedy the situation have stumbled,” Mr Calvert said.
“We make mistakes. It happens. Our job is to make sure when we make these mistakes we are open and transparent about it and we learn from it and improve.”
Patients with any concerns or questions are being asked to call 1800 224 447.
REST OF MINISTER’S STATEMENT
Health Minister Springborg’s statement, confirming an independent investigation, said the 48,000 x-rays in question were uncovered by the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Board and its Safety, Quality and Engagement Sub Committee at a meeting late last week.
“Without intervention by the board, this systemic failure would have continued,” Mr Springborg said.
“In this case, treating clinicians were able to view x-rays to assist in the treatment of their patients. What has failed is the subsequent formal reporting by specialist radiologists on every x-ray. These reports provide confirmation of the diagnosis by the treating physician and whether additional conditions are to be noted.
“This ensures that any condition that appears in a medical image – even those unrelated to current treatment – will be notified to the patient via the health system.”
The Minister said initial inquiries revealed endemic trouble with the reporting network prior to September 2009, when difficulties extended state-wide.
“On that occasion, Queenslanders were not told of the problem by the Labor Government,” the Minister said. “Today, it is unknown whether the backlog that existed at that time was ever properly processed.
“This time, because of the patient safety requirements that apply to hospital boards, a failure in reporting in just one HHS has resulted in full disclosure.”
Mr Springborg said he was committed to open and transparent reporting of issues and problems in the health system.
Mr Springborg said the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Board had proposed a three-part response to the problem, which would be implemented in full.
The newly-amended arrangements for the future reporting of medical imagery included plain film x-rays being subject to external monitoring, at least in the short to medium term.
Robust protocols and procedures to prioritise and address the backlog are required and external scrutiny of that process is desirable., he said.
Source: Gold Coast Bulletin