On 8/11/05 a patient was being treated with an
I-131 (liquid) source for a hyperthyroid problem (148 milliCuries). Per procedure, the patient returned 24-hours later for a whole body count. A small (estimated 5 microCurie)
I-131 fixed contamination site was found under the patient's right thumbnail. Initial estimates for the localized dose are 800 Rad. There was no other contamination nor did surveys show any contamination on individuals or equipment. The patient and doctor were notified. Decontamination is continuing.
The hospital is continuing to investigate the cause of the contamination.
- * * UPDATE ON 08/15/05 @ 1114 BY LARRY MARTINO TO CHAUNCEY GOULD * * *
The initial report was incorrect and the correct version is as follows:
THE NUCLEAR MEDICAL TECHNICIAN HAD AN OVEREXPOSURE - I-131 CONTAMINATION FOUND UNDER THUMBNAIL
On 8/11/05 a patient was being treated with an I-131 (liquid) source for a hyperthyroid problem . Per procedure, the patient returned 24-hours later for a whole body count. After completing this treatment, a small (estimated 5 microCurie) I-131 fixed contamination site was found under the nuclear medicine technician's right thumbnail. Initial estimates for the localized dose are 800 Rad. There was no other contamination nor did surveys show any contamination on individuals or equipment. The technician and treating physician were notified. Decontamination is continuing. This report was made under 10CFR20.2202(a)(1)(iii) a shallow-dose equivalent to the skin or extremities of 250 rads or more.
The hospital is continuing to investigate the cause of the contamination.
Notified Reg 1 RDO (Ray Lorson), RI (George Pangburn) and NMSS EO(Michele Burgess)
- Update on 08/16/05 at 1455EDT by John Keklak to MacKinnon ****
License number 37-00148-06
On 08/12/05, a Nuclear Medicine Technologist underwent a thyroid count (as per procedure) the day after administering a therapy dosage of I-131 sodium iodide (liquid) to a patient. The thyroid count results prompted a skin contamination survey that located I-131 skin contamination under the edge of the Technologist's right thumbnail. Following decontamination, some I-131 remained fixed. Initial conservative dose estimates indicated localized skin dose in the range of 800 Rad, current (8/16/05) best estimates indicate dose of about 130 Rad. No other contamination was found on this technologist, other personnel, equipment, or room surfaces. Most likely cause was a loss of integrity of the protective glove the technologist was wearing while handling the sodium iodide.
The hospital is continuing to investigate the event
R1DO (R. Lorson), R1 (
Penny Lanzisera) and
NMSS EO (M. Burgess) notified.