ENS 56300
ENS Event | |
|---|---|
06:00 Sep 30, 2022 | |
| Title | Potential Overexposure |
| Event Description | The following information was provided by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) via email:
On December 28, 2022, the [Radiation Safety Officer] RSO for Vista Medical Center East (RML IL-01076-01, Waukegan IL) emailed a letter to the Agency indicating a nuclear medicine technologist received a whole body dose of approximately 11,307 millirem over the third quarter of 2022. The licensee initiated an investigation and does not believe the exposures indicated on the employee's badge represent a true dose to the nuclear medicine technologist. However, no clear evidence has been provided to the Agency that yet substantiates the licensee's position. As such, the Agency is currently treating this as a reportable occupational exposure. Based on the information available, this exposure does not appear to be related to contamination events, exposure to radiation-producing machines, or a single static exposure to a stationary source. The employee, reportedly, is not working at other licensed facilities. The last seven years of dosimetry for this employee consistently show total annual occupational exposures at or near 10% of the annual limits. Job duties have reportedly not changed. Agency inspectors will conduct a reactionary inspection on Monday, January 9, 2023. Inspectors will pursue any additional data which may support the licensee's claims that this was not an overexposure incident. The appropriateness of the technologists continued duties under the license, and sustained occupational exposures, will then be reviewed. Finally, inspectors will review noncompliance with Agency rules for timely reporting (32 Ill. Adm. Code 340.1230). Illinois Report Item Number: IL230001
Agency inspectors conducted a reactionary inspection on January 9, 2023, to pursue any additional data which may support the licensee's claims that this was not an overexposure incident and to review the appropriateness of the technologists continued duties under the license and sustained occupational exposures. Inspectors also reviewed noncompliance with Agency rules for timely reporting (32 Ill. Adm. Code 340.1230). Expressed concerns of potential tampering and/or intentional exposure of badges were investigated. However, no evidence could be provided and the licensee elected not to make a formal allegation. No additional information to support the licensee's claims that the exposure was not valid were obtained during the 1/9/2023, reactionary inspection or through additional documentation provided to the Agency. As such the exposures will remain on the individual's exposure record as reported. Inspectors initiated dialogue with the dosimetry processor to determine root cause. Contamination seems unlikely as the dosimeters are screened for gamma radiation upon intake, however, the processor believes the badges were exposed to angular, shielded or collimated radiation. Re-analysis supported the initial exposure reports. The licensee was cited for failing to report timely, failing to limit occupational doses to 5 rem, failing to restrict the employee's additional occupational exposures for the remainder of the year, and failure of the RSO to initiate timely investigation. Required written report received 1/27/23. Pending satisfactory address of the Notice of Violation, this matter may be considered closed. Notified R3DO (Dickson) and NMSS Events Notification via email |
| Where | |
|---|---|
| Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, Illinois (NRC Region 3) | |
| License number: | IL-01076-01 |
| Organization: | Illinois Emergency Mgmt. Agency |
| Reporting | |
| Agreement State | |
| Time - Person (Reporting Time:+2337.58 h97.399 days <br />13.914 weeks <br />3.202 months <br />) | |
| Opened: | Gary Forsee 16:35 Jan 5, 2023 |
| NRC Officer: | Karen Cotton |
| Last Updated: | Feb 15, 2023 |
| 56300 - NRC Website | |
Vista Medical Center East with Agreement State | |
WEEKMONTHYEARENS 563002022-09-30T06:00:00030 September 2022 06:00:00
[Table view]Agreement State Potential Overexposure 2022-09-30T06:00:00 | |