Thousands of dollars have been fleeced from more than 100 private patients seeking blood tests, after it was discovered that the samples were being tested at the laboratory of the Arima Health Facility free of charge. This is the findings of an internal audit carried out at the hospital from May 22 to 23. Sunday Guardian learnt that in some cases patients were asked to pay as much as $500 to determine the state of their medical condition.
The North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) is responsible for the management and operations of the hospital. Attempts by laboratory personnel to draw attention to the unusual practice under the last administration, Sunday Guardian learnt, fell on deaf ears. Recent investigations revealed that on a monthly basis, a report outlining the number of laboratory tests referred from health centres and hospital departments are recorded.
However, according to the audit, it was discovered that a separate request for blood testing was made for patients who were not referred from the NCRHA. A copy of the audit obtained by Sunday Guardian revealed the majority of blood tests were requested for urology patients who were not patients at the hospital nor were recommended by nearby health centres.
"Audit was informed by the laboratory personnel that as per the sample of the request for pathological investigations forms, the majority of tests requested by (doctor named) were required for urology patients. This was confirmed from a second opinion obtained by an independent senior laboratory technician at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex. It must be noted that information reaching the audit was that the doctor operates a private-practice office specialising in urology services," the audit stated.
It was based on these findings that the audit discovered that hospital resources were being used to perform the tests. The audit stated, "Blood samples for patients from the health centres are delivered to the laboratory by the district health visitors and/or phlebotomist whilst blood samples from the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department and clinics at the facility are generally brought to the laboratory by the nurses assigned to these areas."
It was on this basis, the audit stated, laboratory personnel opted to record the unusual blood testing requests as "separate" to protect themselves from any possible conflict. Investigations further revealed that the issue was raised as to why the requests were being recorded as separate and personnel were instructed to record all blood tests under A&E.
As a result, the audit was only able to determine the total number of patients for whom laboratory services were requested for patients for the periods October 2008 to December 2009 and April to September 2010. The audit also noted that the monthly reports for the periods prior to October 2010 were prepared based on the number of patients' requests for pathological investigation forms and not the number of laboratory tests performed by the department.
In addition, a sample consisting of 27 requests for pathological investigation forms received by the laboratory was also examined. The audit recommended:
• The operations of the laboratory department at the Arima Health Facility should be immediately removed from under the purview of the head of the Accident & Emergency department and placed under the responsibility of the cluster manager
• The personnel of the laboratory department should be promptly informed in writing that laboratory testing is not to be facilitated for anyone with respect to private work, thereby ensuring the authority's resources are not abused
• Disciplinary action should be taken against those culpable
Sunday Guardian learnt a report on the audit is expected to be submitted to the board's audit committee on Tuesday.
Khan: I am awaiting a report on the matter
Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan said yesterday he was waiting for the board to conclude investigations into the findings of the audit. "I cannot intervene at this stage. I am awaiting a report from the board's audit committee before I act. When I get the report I would act accordingly, if I am not satisfied then I can order another audit," Khan said.
