Caboolture Hospital Outpatient Services Department Imaging review
Caboolture Hospital has identified a gap in how Specialist Outpatient Department imaging results were recorded and shared, and we’re taking proactive steps to address it.
A dedicated clinical team is reviewing these results as a priority, starting with the highest-risk cases to ensure no patient is missed.
If your care is affected, we’ll contact you directly. Patient safety is our top priority, and we’re committed to resolving this with care and transparency.
If you have attended the Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatients Department and have any concerns, please phone the hospital on 07 5316 5163 between 8am and 4pm business days.
You can read Metro North Health’s latest statement here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened with the imaging results?
A: The hospital identified inconsistencies in how patient imaging results have been distributed in the Specialist Outpatient Department at Caboolture Hospital from April 2023.
This means we cannot be certain all results were appropriately reviewed and actioned by the requesting clinician.
Q: How many patients are affected?
A: We are reviewing results relating to approximately 9,000 patients. Not all will result in follow-up, but each will be assessed to determine if any further clinical actions are needed.
Q: What types of patients are affected?
We are reviewing all surgical, cardiac, respiratory and paediatric patients who had imaging undertaken since April 2023 and who had been referred to the Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatient Department.
Q: What patients are not affected?
A: There is no impact on inpatients or our emergency department.
Q: What types of imaging needs are impacted?
A: The hospital will review patient results from all types of imaging. This includes X-ray, CT scan, MRI and ultrasound studies.
Q: What is being done to fix the issue?
A: We’ve taken immediate steps and introduced robust processes to ensure imaging results are consistently shared with treating specialists going forward. A dedicated specialist clinical team is reviewing all flagged results using a structured, risk-based approach. Follow-up care will be arranged as a priority where needed.
Q: Which patients are being prioritised?
A: The highest-risk areas—general surgery, respiratory, cardiology and paediatrics are being reviewed first.
Q: Will patients be contacted?
A: Yes. Please be assured that if there is a need to contact patients about their results, they will be contacted directly by our clinical teams. Only patients who are identified as requiring follow up will be contacted.
Q. How long will the review of record take?
A: We are putting as many resources behind this review as possible with the expectation it is completed within the next two-weeks. We understand patients and families are concerned and anxious and want to work as quickly as possible to relieve this anxiety.
Q: I have undergone a medical imaging test but have not received any contact from Metro North Health. Should I call as a precaution?
A: Please be assured that if there is a need to contact patients about their results, they will be contacted directly by our clinical teams. If you have attended the Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatients Department and have any concerns, please phone the hospital on 07 5316 5163. Information on this website is also being regularly updated as part of our commitment to keeping the community informed.
Q: Is patient safety at risk?
A: We are taking this matter very seriously. The review designed to identify and address any potential risks promptly. Metro North Health has robust processes in place to prioritise patient care and safety and we recently strengthened processes at the Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatients Department. Patients can and should continue to have confidence in Metro North Health’s ability to deliver safe and effective care.
Q: I am a patient about to undergo a medical imaging test. What confidence can I have in the Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatients Department managing my case appropriately and in a timely manner?
Patient safety is Metro North Health’s priority. Immediate steps have been taken to strengthen processes at the Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatients Department to improve the management of medical imaging results. Patients can and should continue to have confidence in Metro North Health’s ability to deliver safe and effective care.
Q: The Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatients Department managed my medical imaging results but they did not relate to surgical, cardiac, respiratory or paediatrics. Can I still be confident I have not been affected?
A: The matter relating to medical imaging services at Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatients Department relates solely to surgical, cardiac, respiratory and paediatric patients.
Please be assured that if there is a need to contact patients about their results, they will be contacted directly by our clinical teams.
If you have attended the Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatients Department and have any concerns, please phone the hospital on 07 5316 5163. Information on this website is also being regularly updated as part of our commitment to keeping the community informed.
Q: I am a patient that fell into one of the affected categories (surgical, cardiac, respiratory and paediatrics) prior to April 2023. Why are you not looking back further to provide assurance that I was not affected?
To date, we are aware of this matter occurring from April 2023. Should this change, Metro North will contact affected patients about their results.
If you have attended the Caboolture Hospital Specialist Outpatients Department and have any concerns, please phone the hospital on 07 5316 5163.
Information on this website is also being regularly updated as part of our commitment to keeping the community informed.
Q: I am a patient about to undergo a medical imaging test. Will my care be delayed because of the review underway?
Metro North Health is aiming to finalise the review in the next two weeks. It is not anticipated this will cause delays to patients’ medical imaging tests.
Q: What if I feel my medical imaging is incorrect or has been misinterpreted?
Our clinicians carefully review medical imaging to ensure accurate diagnosis and guide the best treatment plan.
If you have concerns about your care, please discuss directly with your treating team.
The current review is to ensure identified imaging from the Specialist Outpatients Department were appropriately followed up.