PNO-I-88-085, on 880816,apparent Loss of Coratomic Model C-101 Pacemaker,Containing 250 Mg Po-238 Discovered.Surveys Made & Personnel Interviewed W/O Success.Search Continuing
| ML20151Y157 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Site: | 07001500 |
| Issue date: | 08/22/1988 |
| From: | Courtmanche S, Piccone J NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION I) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| PNO-I-88-085, PNO-I-88-85, NUDOCS 8808260253 | |
| Download: ML20151Y157 (1) | |
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- ', e Iu PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE--PNO-I-88-85 This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or pubite interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region I staff on this date.
Facility: Licensee Emergency Classification:
Washington Hospital Center Notification of Unusual Event Washington, D.C. Alert DN 070-01500 Site Area Emergency General Emergency X Not Applicable
Subject:
APPARENT LOSS OF A NUCLEAR PACEMAKER On August 16, 1988, the licensee informed a representative of the Office of Nuclear Material. Safety and Safeguards (NMSS) of the apparent loss of a nuclear pacemaker. The pacemaker had been explanted from the deceased patient by the attending funeral home in Florida on May 27, 1988 and mailed to the patient's cardiologist in Washington D.C. the week of June 13, 1988. The cardiologist's office adjoined Washington Hospital Center, where the implant was made, and the pacemaker was placed in a box and sent to the card'. ology department of Washington Hospital Center by interoffice mail the week of June 20, 1988. The licensee was never informed of the death of the patient by the cardiologist's office and on August 15, 1988, during routine patient followup, a licensee representative learned of the death and explantation. Efforts to locate the !
pacemaker were begun as of that date. Region I was informed of this matter on August 17, 1988. Subsequent discussions with the licensee revealed that the pacemaker is a ;
Coratomic Model C-101 containing 250 milligrams of plutonium-238. The licensee has made surveys and interviewed personnel in an effort to locate the device, but these i efforts have been unsuccessful to date.
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This source is not considered to be a health and safety hazard. Region I is prepared to respond to media inquiries.
NRC Region I will maintain close contact with the licensee and will review this '
incident at the next scheduled inspection. The District of Columbia has been notified. ,
CONTACT: S. Courtemanche J. Piccone 346-5075 346-5169 OISTRIBUTION:
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