The Labrador-Grenfell Health board is currently reviewing about 65 lab tests arising from a manufacturer’s recall for a particular lot of laboratory product used to assess chest pain related to heart problems.
The recalled product, used in blood tests to determine a patient’s troponin level which can be elevated during chest pain, could result in an increased frequency of false positive or false negative test results.
The health board said in a release this blood test is one of several diagnostic tools used by physicians when a patient presents with chest pain. It’s used in conjunction with patient history, other blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG) and a physical exam to assess the patient.
The recalled lot numbers were used at five sites within the region, the Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony (back-up laboratory analyzer), White Bay Central Health Centre in Roddickton, Strait of Belle Isle Health Centre, Flower’s Cove, Labrador South Health Centre, Forteau and the Churchill Falls Community Clinic.
“Upon receiving notification on July 31, 2012, Labrador-Grenfell Health immediately discontinued the use of this particular lot of the product at all sites within the region that normally use the identified product for troponin testing,” said Jan Dearing, regional director of patient safety and quality with Labrador-Grenfell Health. “Our health authority is now currently reviewing the impact, if any, that this product recall may have had on clients in our region,” she said.
Dr. Alison Morris, patient safety physician with Labrador-Grenfell Health emphasizes that the likelihood of any potential impact to clients is very remote as this blood test is one step in an extensive assessment a physician would carry out on individuals presenting with chest pain. “As part of our commitment to patient safety, physicians at our health authority are now reviewing approximately 65 patient records to determine if individual followup with clients is required. If there are any concerns, clients will be contacted by telephone. Labrador-Grenfell Health is also preparing letters for the clients who were tested using the recalled product and it is expected these letters will be mailed within the next few days.”
For more information on troponin testing, visit www.lghealth.ca
Clients with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact their physician or regional
nurse at the following sites:
· Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital, St. Anthony: (709)454-3333
· White Bay Central Health Centre, Roddickton: (709)457-2215
· Strait of Belle Isle Health Centre, Flower’s Cove: (709)456-2401
· Labrador South Health Centre, Forteau: (709)931-2450
· Churchill Falls Community Clinic: (709)925-3381
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