HQCA to conduct pathology review at Royal Alexandra Hospital

Minister to receive regular reports from AHS and HQCA as review progresses

Government of Alberta news release

The Health Quality Council of Alberta will review interpretation errors of pathology tests that took place at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) laboratory between July and September of this year.

During that period, 159 prostate biopsy slides were interpreted by a pathologist working at the RAH and subsequently some urologists raised concerns about their accuracy.  Alberta Health Services (AHS) has since retested 126 of the 159 biopsies.  The re-tests have found significant discrepancies in 29 of them which may result in a different diagnosis or course of treatment for some patients.   The pathologist is no longer practicing for AHS and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta is aware of this matter.


“It is important to me that the patients involved and all Albertans are confident that their physicians have the most accurate information available in order to diagnose and treat them,” said Fred Horne, Minister of Health and Wellness.

“This issue appears to relate to the practice of one physician who is no longer reading pathology specimens," added Horne.   "While I have no concerns about the quality of testing at the present time, I have directed both AHS and the HQCA to provide me with regular updates throughout the process. In the event any further steps are required to improve the reading and interpretation of pathology results, we will be in a position to take immediate action."

The patients whose tests were re-read are being contacted by AHS.   Patients will be able to book appointments with their urologists on an expedited basis to review results and adjust treatment plans as necessary.

“Patient safety is our first priority. We contacted the urologists for all of the patients involved when we became aware of these concerns and asked them to delay any treatment or therapy until each patient’s biopsy was re-read,” said Dr. Chris Eagle, AHS President and CEO. “Patients with urgent cases or treatment plans had their slides re-read first to allow physicians to respond quickly.”

While there is no indication of discrepancies in other tests, AHS is in the process of reviewing 1,568 additional non-prostate specimens that were interpreted by the pathologist during that period.  They will be reviewed on a priority basis.

An AHS information line has been created for patients who have questions or concerns about their biopsy tests at RAH in the past six months. The number is 1-866-301-2668