Sask. radiologist fails competency test
Last Updated: Friday, November 6, 2009 | 1:34 PM CT
CBC News
Dr. Darius Tsatsi, seen at a July 2009 news conference, is at the centre of a review of thousands of medical diagnostic tests. (Sheryl Rennie/CBC) The Yorkton, Sask., doctor at the centre of a review of thousands of medical tests does not have the skills or knowledge to practise radiology, the College of Physicians and Surgeons announced Friday.
Dr. Darius Tsatsi's work interpreting X-rays, mammograms, and other diagnostic images came into question in May. The provincial Ministry of Health and several regional health authorities have been reviewing every case he provided an opinion on.
Some 70,000 images are connected to the massive review, which is not yet complete.
'Dr. Tsatsi lacked skill and knowledge to practise as a radiologist.'—Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons Associate Registrar Bryan Salte
On Friday, the regulating body that oversees Saskatchewan doctors released the findings of a competency committee that assessed Tsatsi.
"They gave him a written examination," Bryan Salte, the associate registrar and lawyer for the college, told CBC News. "They examined the interpretations he had made of a number of modalities: CT scannings, X-rays and so on.
"The ultimate conclusion of the competency committee was that Dr. Tsatsi lacked skill and knowledge to practise as a radiologist," Salte said. "They recommended that he spend a year of retraining in order to be able to return to the practise of radiology."
Salte said that the doctor did not contest the finding.
Tsatsi agreed in May to a voluntary suspension.
College to consider status
Tsatsi's future will be considered by the college on Nov. 20.
There are three options:
- Revoke his licence to practise medicine.
- Continue the suspension.
- Allow him to resume his practice, with conditions.
Share Tools
Latest Saskatchewan News Headlines
- Police urge openness in missing persons cases
- Police say when it comes to missing persons investigations, it's crucial to gather as much information as possible and to start searching as soon as possible. more »
- Twitter weighs in on fate of Fantuz
- There's no word yet on where Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Andy Fantuz is going, but that hasn't stopped the Twitterverse from going into overdrive. more »
- Body found at site of Saskatoon crash, fire
- Following a dramatic semi-truck crash and house fire in Saskatoon, the remains of what is believed to be the driver have been found. more »
- Roughriders land free-agent OL LaBatte
- Brendon LaBatte is returning home. The Saskatchewan native agreed to terms Wednesday with the hometown Roughriders. Contract details weren't immediately divulged but LaBatte's deal will reportedly pay him in the neighbourhood of $200,000 annually. more »
Top News Headlines
- Former Expos catcher Gary Carter succumbs to brain cancer
- Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, who left an indelible mark on baseball in Canada during his 12 years with the Montreal Expos, died on Thursday. The man nicknamed "Kid" or "Kid Carter" for his ever-smiling face and cheerfulness is free from the inoperable brain cancer that sapped his energy and took his life at age 57. more »
- UN backs resolution condemning Syrian regime
- The UN General Assembly has backed a non-binding Arab League-sponsored resolution calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down and end his regime's violent crackdown on dissidents. more »
- 7 MPs and their fiery quotes
- The election of a majority government was seen by some as a chance for less acrimonious politics on Parliament Hill. But the past week has seen its fair share of inflammatory rhetoric on both sides of the House. more »
- Dog kills newborn in Alberta community
- Officials in Airdrie are revealing few details about the fatal mauling of an infant by a family dog in the southern Alberta city. more »
- Body found at site of Saskatoon crash, fire
- Baby featured in documentary has brain tumour
- Twitter weighs in on fate of Fantuz
- Who will be Regina's next mayor?
- Police urge openness in missing persons cases
- 2 NDP MPs back final Commons vote to kill gun registry
- Most off-reserve aboriginal kids in excellent health
- Saskatchewan mines for workers at Toronto trade show
- Midale woman dies in Estevan highway crash
