The ZNA Cadix hospital in Antwerp has announced that the contracts of 7 radiologists that it suspended earlier this month are to be terminated. The announcement was made in a press release issued on Thursday evening.
The decision to suspend the radiologists two weeks ago came after a number of serious issues emerged regarding the quality of medical imaging at the hospital. The issues came to light following an internal audit.
The radiologists were suspended pending the results of an investigation. In Thursday evening’s press statement the hospital said that "Based on the investigation we conducted, ZNA concludes that it is no longer possible to continue working with the radiologists. It has been established that the Medical Imaging Service does not meet generally accepted quality standards. ZNA has therefore decided to terminate doctors’ contracts forthwith”.
The hospital’s management said that in the light of the investigation it was impossible to restore trust between itself and six of the seven radiologists involved. One radiologists was offered the chance to carry on working within the ZNA hospitals group if they were prepared to accept “accompanying measures”. However, the radiologist didn’t take up the offer and is now also dismissed.
The ZNA hospitals group is keen to stress that it will continue to investigate past cases and propose additional treatment where necessary. The personal liability of the radiologists would remain "unaffected" in these cases. "ZNA is taking this decision to ensure continuity of its operations and bring calm to ZNA Cadix in the interests of its patients, doctors and other staff."
The investigation screened 1,300 medical files dating back to the beginning of this year. Of the 1,300 files 500 files are reported have been screened very thoroughly. Of these 52 files were found to have “a potential impact on patient safety".
The hospital contacted a total of 24 patients to inform them that their file was giving them cause for concern.