La Pine: Questions about healthcare are not isolated to the USA

Questions about the adequacy of healthcare are not isolated to the USA.  Here is an interesting item from the New Brunswick Inquiry reported in the Globe British Columbia newspaper.

A review of surgical pathology practices at the Miramichi Regional Hospital identified problems with Dr. Rajgopal Menon’s ability to trim surgical pathology specimens properly due to visual problems.  Health officials reviewed 227 breast and prostate cancer tests from 2004-05 diagnosed by Dr. Menon.  Eighteen per cent of his readings were found to be incomplete leading to a re-examination of nearly 24,000 cases he handled between 1995 and 2007.

Dr. Menon underwent cataract surgery in December 2006.  Prior to that time he had difficulty with his vision during specimen trimming processes that were observed by laboratory assistants.  Dr. Menon, 73, did not disclose his surgery to the hospital staff.

“Given the importance of vision to a pathologist, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick may wish to consider whether or not this represents an ethical and/or legal failure to disclose a significant medical problem”.

Do we consider vision exams for our pathologists?  Should we?

Carole La Pine, MSA, CPMSM, CPCS