90-Day status report following the Lang Review of the Motherisk Drug Testing Laboratory (MDTL)

On December 17, 2015, the Honourable Susan Lang released the Report of the Motherisk Hair Analysis Independent Review. The review reported on the failures of the Motherisk Drug Testing Laboratory (MDTL) and made a series of recommendations relating to organizational oversight of laboratories and interactions of SickKids staff with the judicial system.

In the wake of the report, SickKids has reflected deeply and continues to review what led to the events in the MDTL. As a result of Justice Lang’s and SickKids’s own internal review, SickKids has implemented new organization-wide policies and structures to enhance our oversight, quality control systems, and interactions with the judicial system. A 90-day status report (pdf) highlights the changes which SickKids has implemented to prevent similar events from occurring at SickKids again.

“We are resolved to learn from these regrettable events and are committed to broadly applying lessons learned with safe, high quality and effective practices being our highest priority,” says Dr. Michael Apkon, SickKids President and CEO. “SickKids reaffirms its commitment to nurturing an exceptional community built on the principles and behaviours of high reliability organizations.”

SickKids will also continue to cooperate fully with Commissioner Judith C. Beaman as she conducts her independent commission to assist families who may have been affected by results generated by the Motherisk Drug Testing Lab.