RAWPIXEL/UNSPLASH A Health and Disability Commission report found multiple Wairarapa DHB staff missed a crucial medical note that identified a patient had enlarged rectal lymph nodes - a sign of cancer.

Years of underinvestment is being blamed for the "ageing and fragmented" IT systems used by district health boards (DHBs) nationwide, with the Government eager to move with the times and upgrade crucial systems.

Health Minister David Clark has outlined the issue as a priority of his, with a new draft Digital Health Strategy currently in the works.

"The Ministry [of Health] is exploring options for co-investment with DHBs, with the intention of accelerating work to address these issues."

KEVIN STENT/STUFF Health Minister David Clark confirmed plans were in the works for crucial IT upgrades across the country's DHBs.

His comments come in the wake of a damning report into Wairarapa DHB's "weak IT system", published this week by the Health and Disability Commission (HDC).

READ MORE:

* Woman dies of septic shock due to lack of care in 'critical time of life'

* Doctor get savvy with technology in medical consultations

* Wairarapa Hospital was warned of seismic issues in its ceilings years ago

* Report gives insight into DHB complaints

The report highlighted a series of IT problems which were, in part, to blame for a mistake that led to an elderly man's cancer symptoms going unnoticed for several months.

PIERS FULLER/STUFF Wairarapa DHB's "weak IT system" has been blamed for a mistake that led to an elderly man's cancer symptoms going unnoticed for several months.

In March 2016, the 72-year-old unnamed man presented at a public hospital in the region having injured his hip and chest in a three-metre fall. An urgent CT scan was ordered and he was sent to be seen by a surgeon.

The radiologist who reviewed the CT images identified numerous enlarged rectal lymph nodes and recommended an endoscopic examination to rule out a rectal tumour.

The radiologist's recommendation was issued on a "sticky note" in the DHB's Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Twenty minutes later another note was entered on the man's file that did not mention the nodes.

SIMON ELWELL/STUFF Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill found Wairarapa DHB had a weak IT system that did not allow for electronic sign-off.

The second note was the one ED staff acted on, with the first one not immediately visible. Several days later the man was discharged.

The report was not sighted again until eight months after his discharge when a further investigation was initiated. The man was later diagnosed with Stage IIIa​ cancer and underwent chemo-radiotherapy treatment and surgery.

Commissioner Anthony Hill found the DHB in breach of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers' Rights, having not provided services to the man with reasonable care and skill.

"[The] system did not allow for electronic sign-off and did not have a clear, effective and formalised system in place," he said.

While Wairarapa DHB's chief medical officer Tom Gibson would not comment on the specific details of a patient's case, he said the DHB had taken immediate actions to improve its processes.

"We deeply regret that this incident occurred and have apologised unreservedly to the patient involved," he said.

"Safety and quality of healthcare services remain our top priority, and every effort is being made to ensure that this incident is not repeated."

The IT system was being upgraded to a new regional system, with electronic sign off "high on the agenda for this complex upgrade", Gibson said.

Current IT practices, with regard to test results, varied significantly across DHB regions.

Capital and Coast DHB chief Information officer Shayne Hunter said his organisation had utilised an electronic sign-off system for lab and radiology results since 2013, with any unsigned results flagged in a weekly report.

He confirmed the contentious "sticky note" function was in use within Wellington Regional Hospital's emergency department as well as the Kenepuru Accident & Medical clinic in Porirua.

At the other end of the country, Southern District Health Board (SDHB) chief medical officer Nigel Millar was confident in the DHB's "clear and effective electronic system" used for the reporting and follow up of tests results.

He said "sticky notes" were not used by SDHB staff.