The following was received from the State of
Texas via email:
On May 11, 2018, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] was notified by the licensee that an event had occurred. The licensee stated that a patient had been treated with I-131 for thyroid cancer on May 4, 2018. The patient was instructed on the procedure, restrictions, and their responsibility after the treatment. The patient signed a document stating they understood the instructions. The patient was scheduled to return on May 11, 2018, for a whole body scan. The patient was discharged after the radionuclide was administered.
On May 11, 2018, the patient failed to show up for his 1000 hours0.0116 days <br />0.278 hours <br />0.00165 weeks <br />3.805e-4 months <br /> appointment. At 1100 hours0.0127 days <br />0.306 hours <br />0.00182 weeks <br />4.1855e-4 months <br />, the nurse (nurse one) working the scanner area received a phone call from a floor nurse. The floor nurse asked if they had an appointment for the patient in this event. Nurse one stated they did, but he failed to show up for the appointment. The floor nurse stated that the individual was in their treatment area. Nurse one asked how long he had been there and the floor nurse stated he had been brought to them 4 days prior with an injury from a fall. Nurse one asked why radiology had not been informed and the floor nurse stated they were not aware of his previous procedure.
The licensee surveyed the patient and found they were reading above background. The licensee determined areas of the hospital outside the patient's room the patient would have been in and surveyed them. No contamination was found. The licensee removed all material from the patient's room and moved it to its decay room for storage. Access to the patient's room was restricted until it decays to levels not distinguishable from background. The licensee established controls to prevent any further contamination resulting from the patient. The patient was discharged from the hospital to the rehab facility on May 14, 2018.
The Agency was not aware that access was restricted to the patient's room until the written report was reviewed on May 18, 2018. Additional information will be provided as it is received in accordance SA-300.
Texas Incident #: I-9575