Report transmission issues delay medical appointments

CORNER BROOK, N.L. – Technical problems sending medical reports to the doctors of patients who received tests at two health authorities in Newfoundland have caused delays in follow-up appointments.

Central Health and Western Health issued news releases in July saying reports weren’t being distributed properly to physicians who ordered them.

Central Health, which services the central mainland, says non-gynecological cytology specimen reports weren’t delivered, while Western Health said imaging reports weren’t distributed by an automated system.

Western Health, based in Corner Brook, says 13 patients have been contacted and fresh appointments have been set up as a result of the tests, while Central Health says 11 patients have had appointments set up after original recommendations for follow-up didn’t go out as expected.

Health Minister Steve Kent (pictured) apologized for the incidents and said appropriate follow-up with patients is taking place.

The problems with the system were caught by a quality assurance review of the information technology systems.

Western Health said it has reviewed 635 files handled since the automated system was installed in October 2013, while Central Health said it reviewed the last 12 months and looked at files for 132 patients.