Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Saskatchewan residents will be on pins and needles over the next few weeks and months as health officials review the work of a Yorkton-based radiologist.
The Sunrise Health Region last week announced that it would review 70,000 diagnostic imaging tests read by Dr. L. Darius Tsatsi.
That includes X-rays, CT scans, mammography and ultrasound tests.
The health region suspended Tsatsi’s hospital privileges May 14.
The potential problems were discovered by the Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons during a review of 103 cases handled by the doctor between May and November 2008.
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The college said in a news release that the review identified a high incidence of disagreement with Tsatsi’s interpretation of those test results.
“A worrisome proportion of those disagreements involve clinical situations in which a diagnostic error could have devastating adverse consequences for the patient,” reported the college’s statement.
The majority of the 103 files reviewed did not indicate any problem.
The college has appointed a special committee to determine Tsatsi’s competence.
A 2006 review identified deficiencies in Tsatsi’s diagnostic skills. In 2007 and 2008, he voluntarily completed a remedial education course at McMaster University in Ontario.
His performance prompted the college to review the situation again in June 2008, which led to the current situation.
Joe Kirwan, chief executive officer of the Sunrise Health Region, said a re-evaluation of the 103 cases identified in the earlier review is underway and results are expected shortly. All patients will be contacted by telephone.
The region and the provincial ministry of health will review an estimated 70,000 cases in which tests were reviewed by Tsatsi over the past five years.
That includes those in Prince Albert from June to August 2004 and in Yorkton since that time.
Radiologists from Regina and Saskatoon will be asked to assist in the review.
“We are committed to reducing people’s concerns,” said Kirwan.
“Patients will be made aware of their exams and their family physicians will be notified.”
Kirwan added the review will be conducted as quickly as possible, but offered no estimate as to when it would be completed.
