11 Mississauga cancer patients had serious issues from radiolologist’s work

Eleven cancer patients had “clinically significant” issues stemming from a radiologist’s poor work, Trillium Health Partners said Thursday.

The network had asked for an external expert review of CT scans and mammograms at Mississauga Hospital and Queensway Health Centre after concerns surfaced about diagnostic tests that were conducted between April 2012 and March 2013.

Trillium Health said in the 3,537 tests conducted in that period, more than 99 per cent of the patients were unaffected.

Of the 11 who were affected, eight had already been identified through other testing while three were found through the review. They are now receiving proper care.

“The primary purpose of this review was to ensure our patients are safe and getting the right care,” Dr. Dante Morra, chief of staff at Trillium Health Partners, said in a statement.

“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.”

The radiologist, who was not mentioned by name in the statement, is no longer with the hospital. The Toronto Star identified him as Dr. Ivo “Ivan” Slezic.

The hospital will now implement a formal peer review program, a move welcomed by the provincial government.

“Ontario is taking action to strengthen our approach to diagnostic imaging. Working with our health partners, Health Quality Ontario will lead the implementation of a province-wide physician peer review program in all facilities where diagnostic imaging services are provided, including mammograms and CT scans,” Health Minister Deb Matthews said in a statement.

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.

Patient access line: 905-848-7534
Available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Physician access line: 905-848-7541
Available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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