"WE CERTAINLY HOPE THAT NO ADDITIONAL CASES OF BOTCHED CANCER TESTS COME TO LIGHT, EITHER IN THE WINDSOR AREA OR ELSEWHERE. BUT GIVEN THE GRAVE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED ABOUT A SHORTAGE OF PATHOLOGISTS – THE DOCTORS WHO DIAGNOSE WHETHER A TISSUE SAMPLE IS CANCEROUS – AND ABOUT INCONSISTENT PATHOLOGY STANDARDS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO FEEL CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM. THE FACT THAT SOME PATHOLOGISTS COMPLAIN ABOUT BEING OVERWORKED WHILE OTHERS CANNOT FIND EMPLOYMENT SUGGESTS THE PROVINCE IS FACING A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM THAT GOES WELL BEYOND WINDSOR. A REVIEW OF VARYING WORKLOAD STANDARDS AND PATHOLOGY PRACTICES IN HOSPITALS AND LABS ACROSS THE PROVINCE COULD HELP DETERMINE WHICH APPROACH IS THE BEST AND MAKE SURE IT IS ADOPTED FOR USE EVERYWHERE..."
EDITORIAL: THE TORONTO STAR;
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BACKGROUND: During the past two years, this Blog has reported on a crisis in Canadian pathology indicated by serious breakdowns in hospitals in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Quebec, Saskatchewan and elsewhere in the country. The purpose, beyond seeking review and reform, is to show that the wide-ranging problems with pathology in Canada were not limited to the criminal sector - and that serious errors, sometimes lethal, were being made in reading test results on living patients. In short, that there was a crisis in Canadian pathology.
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"Public concern began with news that one Windsor doctor had performed mastectomies on two women who were cancer-free," the Toronto Star editorial, published earlier today under the heading "Pathology review should be wider,"
begins.
"Then it came to light that Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital, where the unnecessary surgery occurred, was reviewing thousands of tests after suspending a pathologist. There were "seven serious cases of concern," the editorial continues.
"Now the province has appointed investigators to review pathology reports and probe patient treatment and quality of care at all three Windsor-area hospitals – Hôtel-Dieu, Windsor Regional, and Leamington District Memorial.
Tom Closson, president of the Ontario Hospital Association, is calling instead for a province-wide pathology review. Given the concerns in Windsor and recent problems with cancer tests in both Quebec and Newfoundland, that makes sense.
So far, however, provincial Health Minister Deb Matthews has resisted widening the Windsor probe. "There is absolutely no indication that this goes beyond Windsor," says Matthews.
We certainly hope that no additional cases of botched cancer tests come to light, either in the Windsor area or elsewhere. But given the grave concerns that have been expressed about a shortage of pathologists – the doctors who diagnose whether a tissue sample is cancerous – and about inconsistent pathology standards, it is difficult to feel confidence in the system.
The fact that some pathologists complain about being overworked while others cannot find employment suggests the province is facing a systemic problem that goes well beyond Windsor.
A review of varying workload standards and pathology practices in hospitals and labs across the province could help determine which approach is the best and make sure it is adopted for use everywhere.
"It is incumbent upon all of us who are involved in the health system to learn from this situation," says Matthews. She's right. And what better way to do ensure that than with a province-wide review of pathology standards and practices?"
The story can be found at:
thestar.com;
Harold Levy...hlevy15@gmail.com;
