The State provided the following information via facsimile:
Incident description as reported to NCRP [North Carolina Radiation Protection]: Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) working in the Lenoir, NC office of the Licensee performed a diagnostic cardiac imaging exam on himself. He administered himself with 39.4mCi Tc-99m Myoview for a stress test and followed it up with 11.6 mCi Tc-99m Myoview for the rest test. Both administrations occurred on 8/6/07 and were done without the Licensee's or an Authorized User's knowledge or consent; using a dose intended for a patient that did not show-up for their scheduled diagnostic cardiac imaging exam. The NMT 'read' the resulting diagnostic images and observed a cardiac problem, then apparently called the Licensee's office in Hickory to get a second opinion. The Nuc Med Supervisor (Located in the Hickory Office) was made aware of the administration at approximately 1530 on 8/6/07, and the RSO was notified at approximately 1800 on 8/7/07.
The Licensee reported that the Lenoir office is attended by a single NMT assisted by a Nurse. The rest of the Lenoir office is a non-nuclear cardiology practice although there is an Authorized User (an MD) at that location. At the time of the administration the Authorized User was attending non-nuclear study patients and was not aware of the activities being performed by the NMT on himself. The NMT performed the stress part of this diagnostic administration with Nursing assistance. The licensee reported that the Nurse felt that the NMT was doing something wrong but assisted the treadmill portion of the stress test for safety reasons. Sometime during this span of time the Authorized User at the Lenoir office went to the Hickory office to attend patients and was at that office when the NMT called and reported what he had done.
NCRPS actions:
(1) requested a complete written report with statements from all individuals involved from the Licensee, which will be evaluated;
(2) report to NRC Op Center in case this turns out to be immediately reportable;
(3) consider follow-up inspection/incident investigation;
(4) possible escalated enforcement actions to be determined.
NC Incident # 07-41