30 March 2022
Tobias Ellison
[FYI request #18787 email]
Kia ora Tobias
Your Official Information Act request, reference: GOV-017086
Thank you for your request of 6 March 2022, asking for the fol owing information under the Official
Information Act 1982 (the Act):
1. What liability is it thought the ACC carries from providers failing to note incidental findings?
2. How often are incidental findings noted?
3. How many complaints have been received regarding radiology services?
4. How often is medical imaging audited?
ACC does not calculate financial liability resulting from providers failing to note incidental findings, or
audit medical imaging
References to non-coverable incidental findings may be recorded in a radiology report provided to ACC.
However, it is the responsibility of the radiologist to report incidental findings to the appropriate treatment
provider.
ACC relies on the professional standards set by the Medical Council of New Zealand and the Royal Australia
And New Zealand College of Radiologists, and accreditation from IANZ (International Accreditation New
Zealand). IANZ is a third-party organisation which ensures health products and services, including medical
imaging providers, meet international standards and can demonstrate that they are competent.
We are unable to advise how often incidental findings are noted, or the number of complaints made
regarding radiology services
To identify how often incidental findings are noted would require ACC to manual y read all radiology
reports. Likewise, to identify the number of complaints made about radiology services would require us to
manual y read through al complaints to determine if radiology services was the topic of the complaint. As
such, we are refusing to provide data regarding how often incidental findings are noted and the number of
complaints regarding radiology services, as it would require substantial col ation and research to extract.
This decision has been made under section 18(f) of the Act.
In doing so, we have considered extending our timeframe to respond and charging (under the Act).
However, neither of these options have been offered, as it has been determined that the resources
required to extract the information would have a significant impact on the everyday functions of the
team(s) involved.
If you’re concerned about this response, please get in touch
You can email me a
t [email address]. You can also contact the Ombudsman at
[email address] if you are not happy with this response. Information about how to make a
complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by phoning 0800 802 602.
Ngā mihi
Sara Freitag
Acting Manager Official Information Act Services
Government Engagement & Support
GOV-017086 Page 1 of 1
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