ML19256C804
| ML19256C804 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/09/1979 |
| From: | Higginbotham L, Metzger T NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| 37-00865-05, 37-865-5, PNO-79-049, PNO-79-49, NUDOCS 7910120479 | |
| Download: ML19256C804 (1) | |
Text
PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION -
March 9, 1979 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PNO-79-49 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of event of POSSIBLE nfety or public interest significance. The information presenteT1s as initially received without verification or evaluation and is basically all that is known by IE staff on this date.
Facility: Montefiore Hospital Association of Western Pennsylvania License No. 37-00865-05 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Subject:
MISSING CESIUM-137 IMPLANT SOURCES On March 9,1979, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a patient informed employees at Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that she believed an implant source was no longer in place.
An applicator containing 175 millicuries of cesium-137 was placed in the patient about 10:30 a.m., on March 8,1979, and was scheduled to be removed on March 10, 1979.
Radiation surveys and examination of the patient confirm that the cesium-137 is no longer in the patient or in the patient's room. The patient's bedding had not been changed following the last confirmation that the implant was in place at 4:30 p.m. on March 8,1979.
The hospital has surveyed le.undry facilities, sewer traps, and trash recepticals without locating the source. A hospital wide survey is being made by hospital employees with the assistance of individuals from the University of Pittsburgh radiation protection staff.
Region I is maintaining contact with the licensee and the University of Pittsburgh. This matter will be reviewed no le ter than the week of March 12, 1979, dt.eing an inspection.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has been informed.
A press release has not been issued, but the licensee has expressed willingness to issue one if the source is not located.
NRC, Region I, (Philadelphia) received notification of this occurrence by telephone call from the Radiation fafety Officer at *1ontefiore Hospital at 10:30 a.m. on March 9, 1979.
Contact:
JRMetzger, IE x28188 LBHigginbotham, IE x28188 Distribution:
Transmitted H St h b 8 Chairman Hendrie Commissioner Bradford S. J. Chilk, SECY Commissioner Kennedy Commissioner Ahearne C. C. Kammerer, CA Commissioner Gilinsk (For Distribution)
Transmitted: MNBB
- f b3 P. Bldg b. M. -
J. G. Davis, IE
.h>
L. V. Gossick, ED0 H. R. Denton, NRR Region %
if O')
H. L. Ornstein, ED0 R. C. DeYoung, NRR J. J. Fouchard, PA R. J. Mattson, NRR N. M. Haller, MPA V. Stello, NRR (MAIL)
R. G. Ryan, OSP R. S. Boyd N J. J. Cummings, 01A H. K. Shapar, ELD SS Bldg,, !
O R. Min'gue, SD o
W. J. Dirc s, NMSS
~
'l447 083 PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION Y910120h'7f
.