SALEM, Pray. (AP) — The US Nuclear Regulatory Fee issued two “occasion notifications” for incidents involving Salem Hospital’s radiation oncology division earlier this 12 months.
One incident concerned hospital staff, whereas the opposite concerned sufferers. Investigations up to now have proven no accidents, the Statesman Journal reported..
Salem Well being voluntarily reported each incidents, hospital spokeswoman Lisa Wooden stated. Each concerned a most cancers remedy gadget known as a high-dose-rate, or HDR, afterloader, stated Erica Heartquist, a spokeswoman for the Oregon Well being Authority, which is investigating the incidents.
The company’s Radiological Safety Providers licenses and displays radioactive supplies within the state. OHA was unable to offer extra info as a result of the occasions are nonetheless beneath investigation, Heartquist stated.
“These sorts of occasions are uncommon,” he stated.
On March 22, a transporter delivered a sealed supply of iridium-192 to the incorrect ground of the hospital, in keeping with the NRC notification doc. The half is used within the HDR gadget.
As a substitute of being turned over to radiation oncology, he was turned over to a medical workplace that rents house within the constructing.
“The one who obtained the package deal, who has no coaching in radiation security or transportation, signed for it with out even understanding what it was and positioned it on the ground of a controlled-access workers work space,” the discover says.
Salem Well being did not notice the package deal had been delivered till March 28, when medical provider Varian known as to schedule set up of the half, which is delivered quarterly.
“No indication was given of monitoring a substitute supply package deal whereas in transit to the licensee’s website. That is being investigated additional,” the NRC discover says.
“Salem Well being was initially unaware of the supply of the cargo and that it had been misdirected,” Wooden stated. “Upon discovering the placement of the cargo, Salem Well being recovered the cargo and transferred it to its safe location.”
Salem Heath made radiation dose measurements at and close to the supply package deal at varied distances and orientations with a measuring meter.
“It’s decided that there was no hurt to sufferers or workers from this supply provide difficulty,” Wooden stated.
On June 29, radiation oncology workers recognized a deviation within the size of a switch tube used to ship radiation.
“The tube was discovered to be 1.1 inches longer than the provider’s specs,” the NRC discover says.
“So the therapies shall be 2.9 centimeters shorter than the scheduled therapy distance and can contain 1.5 to 2 centimeters of undesirable tissue…” he continues.
The switch tube was final measured on July 27, 2020. Salem Well being believes they could have underdosed some sufferers, in keeping with the NRC notification.
The hospital has recognized two therapies the place this can be the case and is itemizing all circumstances for the reason that final tube measurement in 2020, the discover says.
