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VIHA leads radiology peer review system

Patients receiving medical imaging services will be able to rest assured about the qualifications of radiologists interpreting the data.

Patients receiving x-rays, CT scans and other medical imaging services on Vancouver Island will soon be able to rest assured about the qualifications of radiologists interpreting the data.

Last week, the Vancouver Island Health Authority sent out a request for proposals in search of a software technology system to peer review medical imaging in B.C.

The RFP springs from a report on medical imaging issued last September by Dr. Doug Cochrane, chair of the B.C. Patient Safety and Quality Council, who outlined the case of a radiologist in Comox who began using a new CT scanner without training on the equipment.

“We’re going to be working together with coastal and Fraser health authorities who have recently begun a manual peer review process,” said VIHA spokesperson Shannon Marshall.

“VIHA is taking the lead on the project because we do have advanced, existing infrastructure in our electronic imaging systems.”

The system should allow random or selected interception of medical imaging interpretations to verify, or challenge, the initial interpretation.

The first phase of this project, aimed at sharing data between health authorities, the ministry and the B.C. College of Physicians, is expected to be in place within VIHA late next spring.

nnorth@saanichnews.com