SASKATCHEWAN (CBC) - The Canadian Association of Pathologists released new guidelines Wednesday that call for pathology test results to be verified by an external, independent laboratory.

"This plan corrects the fact that for far too long pathology systems have been neglected," said Dr. Jagdish Butany, president of the Canadian Association of Pathologists. "This action plan will give them the support they need.

"Most importantly, it will give patients a system they can trust."

The announcement follows a number of controversies across the country involving inaccurate test results. The most prominent has been lab errors in Newfoundland and Labrador, which likely led to incorrect treatments for almost 400 breast cancer patients between 1997 and 2005.

At least 100 women died after their test results were misread, and some waited years before learning their initial tests had been botched.

An inquiry into the Newfoundland tests is now underway.

In New Brunswick, a public inquiry began on May 5 to determine if breast and prostate cancer tests were routinely misdiagnosed at a hospital in the eastern part of the province after an audit detected issues with the work of a pathologist employed there.

Butany announced the five-point plan in Ottawa:

- To demand certification for each prognostic test and predictive test performed by a medical laboratory.

- To have pathology test results verified by an external, independent laboratory.

- To disseminate the Canadian National Checklist for diagnostic immunohistochemistry. The checklist includes test validation, staff training and competency assessment, standardization of operating procedures and equipment maintenance.

- To create a body separate from government that will accredit all labs in Canada.

- To receive immediate and ongoing support from all levels of government to address shortages of trained staff.

Butany added that had the guidelines been in place in 1997, the errors in Newfoundland and Labrador may not have occurred. He said they largely stemmed from the fact there were too few technologists and pathology professionals to meet demand.

He said that until recently, pathologists have been operating "on a shoestring," and that government funding is critical to prevent future tragedies.

LIKE IT?  LET OTHERS KNOW