The following information was received via facsimile:
On July 16, 2015 the licensee informed the Department's [Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Radiation Protection] Central Office of a medical event. The event is reportable within 24-hours per 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1)(i). Both the patient and referring physician were notified.
On July 15, 2015, a patient was scheduled to receive a partial iodine-125 (I-125) prostate seed implant of 107 Gy, to be followed by a course of external beam radiation therapy of 45 Gy. During the procedure, the physician made an error and administered a full I-125 implant of 160 Gy. This resulted in a 49.5 percent overdose. No harm is expected to the patient.
Cause of the event: Human error.
The licensee plans to compensate for the overdose by eliminating the follow-up external beam therapy. A full report is expected within 15 days. The Southcentral Regional Office plans to perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided as received.
Pennsylvania Event Report ID No.: PA150020
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facility's use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.