An investigation into fiddled NHS waiting times figures has found "no evidence" to back up claims the problem is widespread.
Despite ruling out a major problem, there are specific localised issues that need to be addressed, Health Secretary Alex Neil told the Scottish Parliament.
The probe also cleared two NHS Tayside staff members who had been suspended amid allegations the health authority had joined NHS Lothian in fiddling its data. Labour branded the entire exercise a whitewash and insisted the "scandal" has deepened.
All 14 health boards were asked to review their waiting-time practices earlier this year.
Despite Mr Neil's statement, NHS Tayside reported that some staff felt they were under pressure to mark patients as "unavailable" to help meet centrally-imposed waiting-time targets.
Mr Neil said: "The reports provide no evidence of dishonest or widespread manipulation of waiting times across the NHS in Scotland. Secondly, overall, the waiting times published by boards were reliable and accurate.
"Thirdly, the principle shortcomings relate mostly to the capability of recording on some IT systems, consistent interpretation of guidance and staff training. Finally, there are also specific localised issues in board areas which need to be addressed."
NHS Lothian was criticised when it emerged in October last year that patients in the area who refused to travel to England for treatment were removed from the 18-week waiting list.
Some patients were referred to Northumberland for treatment. When they declined to go, they were marked as "unavailable for social reasons" and not included among patients on a list which had the target time of 18 weeks for treatment. A critical incident investigation was launched and two members of staff at NHS Lothian were suspended.
Meanwhile, Audit Scotland, which scrutinises public spending, was asked to review the management of waiting times across the NHS. Allegations of discrepancies at NHS Tayside were made earlier this month while further NHS boards were implicated by opposition politicians.
