8,700 more biopsies to go back under the microscope in N.B.

The search for incomplete and misdiagnosed biopsy results in New Brunswick has expanded by 8,700.

The Miramichi Regional Health Authority had originally projected that it would have to audit 15,000 biopsies conducted at the Miramichi hospital in eastern New Brunswick between 1995 and 2007.

But the number is now higher than expected and will likely include more than 23,700 patients, Miramichi Regional Hospital CEO Gary Foley said Wednesday.

The health authority is re-examining the work of a former pathologist after an independent review of 227 cases of prostate and breast cancer from 2004-2005 found that 18 per cent of the cases had incomplete results and three per cent were misdiagnosed.

The original estimate on the number of cases that would need to be reviewed was based on what was expected to be the average annual workload of the former pathologist, said Foley. But it was found that the pathologist had conducted several more tests from 1995 to 1997.

"There were many more cases completed in the earlier years than we had anticipated," Foley said. "We're working at this as quickly as possible so we can notify the patients, notify their physicians."

The results of patients who were tested most recently in the lab will be examined first, he said, because they have the most clinical significance.

The Health Department is trying to recruit pathology resources from around North American to complete the review.

The audit will also include about 100 cases the former pathologist reviewed while working for a brief period for Regional Health Authority 4 in Edmundston in 2002.

Health Minister Mike Murphy has asked the RCMP to investigate any possible criminal negligence.

The Health Department is reviewing the regional health authorities' mandates and processes and asking the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick to review how it carries out disciplinary action.