Misread scans led to 3 deaths in Canada

British Columbia's health minister apologized Tuesday for a medical scanning scandal that led to the deaths of three patients. A report that revealed the deaths said nine other patients faced delayed treatment or misdiagnosis when four radiologists in the Canadian province communities of Powell River, Comox and the Fraser Valley interpreted scans they were not competent to read, The Vancouver Sun reported. "To all of these patients, and their families, I, we, are very, very sorry," Health Minister Michael de Jong said at a news conference. De Jong, who noted the national health system is not infallible because humans make mistakes, said the government will ascertain whether compensation is owed the patients and their families. The Sun said nearly 8,000 medical scans were reviewed during a seven-month investigation, with the dozen cases being the worst ones. Dr. Doug Cochrane, who heads the British Columbia Patient Safety and Quality Council, said more deaths could still occur, primarily because of delayed treatment.