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 Entered dateEvent description
ENS 521432 August 2016 08:58:00The following information was received via facsimile: On August 1, 2016, the Department (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Radiation Protection) was notified by Georgia Pacific that a shutter handle had fallen off. This made the shutter inoperable in the closed position. It is initially reportable per 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2). During a routine maintenance check, the licensee became aware of a gauge with an inoperable shutter. The gauge is located in a remote area with high vibration and the handle to the shutter seemed to have dislodged due to this, making it unusable. The gauge was put out of service until repairs can be completed by a licensed contractor. No exposures have occurred. The shutter is in the closed position and the gauge is out of service and secure. There was no other damage to the gauge. A reactive inspection is planned by the Department. Radionuclide: Cs-137 Manufacturer: Ronan Model: SA-1 Serial Number: M7419 Activity: 40 mCi Pennsylvania Event Report ID No.: PA160021
ENS 5220025 August 2016 14:29:00The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: On August 25, 2016, the Department (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania) was notified by Lancaster General Hospital that a package was received in which 5 of the 6 sides exceeded the contamination limits in 10 CFR 71.47. This is reportable per 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(1). A package containing a vial of 5 milliCuries of iodine-123 in liquid form was received from GE Healthcare at approximately 0830 (EDT) this morning. The package was undamaged. The receipt survey was performed and noted removable contamination as follows: Front and handle 10,108 dpm; Right side 2,131 dpm; Front handle 4,977 dpm; Front 4,426 dpm; Top background; Top strap 4,577 dpm; Back/bottom 1,997 dpm. After completing wipe testing, the technologist performed an area survey. The area background was found to be 0.04 mR/hr. At 1 meter, the package was found to be 0.05 mR/hr. At the package surface the reading was found to be 0.4 mR/hr. The contamination identified as technetium-99m. Given this finding, package (was) opened to verify it was I-123. The contamination is believed to have been transferred from somewhere else. Upon return to the originator (GE) pharmacy, a survey of the delivery driver's hands, vehicle, and all packages in the vehicle was performed. None showed contamination. All hospital personnel involved and surrounding areas were surveyed and found to be contamination free. No one received a dose above regulatory limits. Cause of the event is unknown at this time. The Department has an inspector onsite. More information will be provided when available. Event Report ID No: PA160023
ENS 5237518 November 2016 10:20:00The following information was obtained from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via email: Event Description: During an inventory record check on September 1, 2016, the general licensee discovered that the static eliminator gauge was missing. Its last known use was during the first six months of the year 2011. The general licensee was unaware of its reporting responsibility. Gauge info: Radionuclide: Polonium-210 Manufacturer: NRD, Inc. Model: P-2021-5000 Device SN#: A2HM769 Activity: 10.2 milliCuries Cause of the Event: Unknown at this time, the general licensee believes that the equipment was lost when the company reconfigured its machinery at some point during 2012. Actions: A reactive inspection is planned by the Department (PA Department of Environmental Protection). More information will be provided upon receipt. Note: Given that over 13 half-lives have transpired since the gauge was lost, there is no current public health and safety hazard. PA Event Report ID: PA160035 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
ENS 5316110 January 2018 11:55:00The following information was received via E-mail: On January 9, 2018, the licensee informed the Department (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) of a problem with their Flexitron HDR (high dose rate) unit. It is reportable per 10 CFR 30.50(b )(2). After a service provider completed a source exchange on an Elekta Flexitron Model 136149A02 HDR remote afterloader unit containing 9.6 curies of iridium-192 on Friday morning, January 5, 2018, the unit was tested for operation three times and worked properly. At approximately 1400 EST on the January 5, 2018, a hospital physicist was starting his QA procedures on the unit. At that point, the source would not come out of the safe position and he received an error code. The physicist then contacted the service provider and he returned to the site. The service provider tried multiple tasks to get the source to engage, all were unsuccessful. He felt there was some form of obstruction or possibly a drive issue. He then scheduled to be onsite January 9, 2018 with a fellow engineer to further investigate the issue. They discovered the source cable was badly frayed and could not be safely removed and placed into the existing transport containers. Currently, the source and cable have been taped in place so they will not move and the device has been locked in its storage closet at the facility. The Department is in contact with the hospital Radiation Safety Officer and further information is not available at this time. The Department will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided as received. PA Event Report ID No: PA180001
ENS 5343029 May 2018 14:48:00

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - PATIENT SKIN CONTAMINATION The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via email: On May 29, 2018, the Department's (Bureau of Radiation Protection) staff in Central Office became aware of a medical event (ME) at U PENN hospital in Philadelphia. The ME is reportable as per 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1)(i) and also meets criteria for an Abnormal Occurrence. On May 25, 2018, a 17 year old pediatric patient underwent an 834 millicurie metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) lodine-131 (I-131) treatment for brain cancer. The dose was delivered in a 30 ml syringe and infused via an automatic pump. The nuclear medical technician present during the infusion reported seeing a small amount of blood, but other than that, nothing unusual was noted. However, upon completion of the infusion, meter readings noted high activities on the patient's clothing and bed linen. The possible reason given being a faulty connection line on the automatic pump. The contamination is believed to have also been present on the skin all weekend. Due to the large dose of I-131 infused, the licensee's staff were not able to see the contamination on the patient's skin until he developed erythema. The licensee is in the process of doing a dose reconstruction for the skin contamination. Based on the reading from the patient and estimated activity in the various contaminated items, the licensee currently estimates that approximately 50% of the intended dosage was successfully infused. The authorized user has been informed and is currently notifying the patient's parents and the referring physician. A reactive inspection is planned by the Department. More information will be provided upon receipt. PA Event Report ID No: PA 180012 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.

  • * * UPDATE FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1451 EDT ON 7/12/2018 * * *

The University of Pennsylvania (U Penn) reported that a patient's skin became contaminated during medical treatment on 5/25/2018. The 17-year-old pediatric patient was scheduled to receive 30.86 GBq (834 mCi) of I-131 metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) for treatment of brain cancer. The dosage was delivered in a 30 ml syringe and infused via an automatic pump. The nuclear medicine technician present during the infusion saw a small amount of blood, but nothing unusual other than that was noted. However, upon completion of the infusion, radiation surveys revealed high activities of I-131 on the patient's clothing and bed linen. U Penn stated that the patient's upper right thigh was cleaned. On 5/27/2018, the patient reported discomfort and reddening (i.e. erythema) on the skin of his upper right thigh, which developed into a lesion and further into desquamation (grade 3) the next day. Radioactive contamination is believed to have been present on the patient's skin for 24 to 48 hours. Based on U Penn measurements, nuclear medicine imaging, and the patient's clinical symptoms, the dose to the skin was estimated to be between 50,000 and 120,000 cGy (rad) to a 15 cm2 area. Radiation safety staff consulted with U.S. DOE's REAC/TS in Oak Ridge TN, to verify dose calculations. Calculations of the activity in the waste and the exposure rate from the patient in previous treatments estimated the activity delivered at 15.54 GBq (420 mCi). It was calculated that approximately 7.77 GBq (210 mCi) went to the waste. The cause of the incident is believed to be a faulty connection line on the automatic pump. The patient was also disconnected from the infusion pump at the 'Spiros tube' to use the lavatory part way through the procedure. Due to the large dosage of I-131 infused, U Penn staff were unable to detect the contamination on the patient's skin until he developed erythema. The authorized user was informed and notified the patient's parents and referring physician. Pennsylvania DEP, Bureau of Radiation Protection, performed a reactive inspection on 6/7 and 6/13/2018. U Penn is conducting a full root cause analysis to develop and implement corrective actions. Procedures that have already been implemented for I-131 MIBG patients included placing absorbent chucks between all parts of the infusion line and the patient's body and requiring an authorized user to be contacted for approval if it is necessary to disconnect a patient during the infusion. Root Cause(s): possible equipment failure, training, and/or human error in connecting the line to the infusion pump. Actions: A reactive inspection has been completed by the Department. More information will be provided upon receipt from U Penn. Notified R1DO (Bower), NMSS Events Notification E-mail Group, and INES Coordinator (Milligan).

  • * * UPDATE FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1102 EDT ON 8/7/18 * * *

The following update was received from the Commonwealth via fax: Licensee has provided additional information; Corrective Actions include: A complete evaluation is being performed of the infusion system used for this treatment to identify any deficiencies, including comparison of CT imaging of the Spiros connection used in this treatment and an unused one. A multidisciplinary I-131 MIBG team with representatives from Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety, Nursing and Oncology has been established. The team will meet regularly to review and update policies and procedures for I-131 MIBG therapies. Some immediate steps have included: (1) use of absorbent material under the administration line over the patient's body, (2) a change to the administration procedure to require that the infusion not be stopped unless medically necessary and determined by the Authorized User, (3) planned implementation of continuous patient observation during administration including evaluation of the use of portable video monitoring, (4) a new procedure has been implemented to address patient fluid management prior to and during infusion, (5) a review of the infusion system has commenced with focus on the Spiros connector, including additional training on their use. Patient specific decontamination procedures have been developed for each treatment treated since the incident. Since decontamination procedures must take into account the patient's age and medical condition, it has been necessary that the medical staff have major input into the procedures for these patients. The knowledge gained from the patient-specific decontamination procedures will be used to refine the decontamination SOP. For therapeutic doses in which an activity on the skin that would result in desquamation can be two thousandths of a percent of the dose. It is important to be able to make measurements in these difficult environments. Testing has begun to determine the capabilities of systems that might be used to measure betas in environments in which gammas are several orders of magnitude more abundant than betas. Radiation Safety incident response procedures have been revised to include a time out and immediate involvement of additional Health Physics staff during incidents, including during possible Medical Events. The procedure is aimed at refocusing the attention of Health Physicists on all aspects of the incident response, and to prevent the Medical Event reporting requirements from distracting attention from other aspects of the response. CAUSE OF THE EVENT: a) A leak in the system caused by a failure of the Spiros connection in the infusion line. b) Policies and procedures relating to I-131 MIBG dose administration lacked coordination and oversight. SOPs have been managed separately by each Department (Nursing, Nuclear Medicine, Oncology, and EHRS). c) Policies and procedures relating to patient contamination and decontamination during dose administration were incomplete. ACTIONS: A reactive inspection has been completed by the Department. Notified R1DO (Cahill), NMSS Events Notification (email), and INES Coordinator (Milligan).

  • * * UPDATE FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO OSSY FONT AT 0833 EDT ON 10/12/2018 * * *

The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via email: UPDATE 3, clarifications: The written directive prescribed 30.23 GBq (817 mCi) of I-131. The dosage administered measured 30.86 GBq (834 mCi) and was delivered over the course of 90 minutes. The estimated activity delivered to the correct treatment site was determined to be 22.68 GBq (613 mCi), not 15.54 GBq (420 mCi) as previously reported. No decontamination of the patient (right upper thigh) was performed at the time the contamination of bed linens and pants was discovered. This wasn't completed until signs of erythema were present. PA Event Report ID No: PA 180012 NRC Item# 180252 Notified R1DO (Dentel), and NMSS Events Notification and INES Coordinator (Milligan) via email.

ENS 534361 June 2018 11:39:00The following information was received via E-mail: On May 31, 2018, the Department (PA DEP Bureau of Radiation Protection) was notified by the licensee that a malfunction of a roll pin on a shutter handle occurred at a temporary jobsite in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania. It is initially reportable per 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2). A roll pin, which holds the shutter handle to the shutter shaft on a Berthhold Model LB 8010 in-line density gauge containing 20 milliCuries of cesium-137 became sheared off during an attempt to move the shutter to the open position, rendering the gauge unusable. The gauge is currently being stored at their Punxsutawney, PA location. The shutter is in the closed position and the gauge is out of service awaiting repair from the manufacturer. There was no other damage to the gauge. No overexposures have occurred. Radionuclide: Cs-137 Manufacturer: Berthold Model: LB 8010 Serial Number: 10485 Activity: 20 mCi The cause of the event has been attributed to normal wear and tear on the gauge. A reactive inspection is planned by the Department. PA Event Report ID No: PA180013
ENS 535322 August 2018 11:48:00

The following information was received via E-mail: During the process of shredding filters for cement solidification, the licensee had an unplanned contamination event. Loose surface contamination was spread throughout the building with an estimate of total activity being 2 milliCuries and the primary isotope being Cobalt-60. In addition to building surfaces, several personnel who were working in the area at the time were contaminated. It is unclear at this time the extent of the personnel contamination but inhalation and skin contamination are believed to have occurred. The licensee is currently decontaminating the area using protective clothing and respiratory protection, monitoring the individuals who were working in the area during the time of the event, and has sent a sample of the material to an independent lab for isotopic analysis. The licensee will be performing a root cause analysis and the state will perform a reactive inspection. The cause of the event is unknown at this time. PA Event Report ID No: PA180016

  • * * UPDATE ON 8/29/2018 AT 1354 EDT FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO BRIAN LIN * * *

The following update was provided via E-mail: During the process for cement solidification of shredded filter materials the licensee's mixing unit auger became stuck. Technicians eventually, through the use of various manual and air tools, were able to remove the blockage and resume the solidification process. At this time the unit was run again with only a cement mixture with no filter media to create a cap in the disposal container. Upon completion of this procedure a crane operator entered the containment area to remove the filter media hopper from atop the unit. He had forgotten his hard hat and immediately left containment and the H-1 building to retrieve his hat. Upon entering the Personnel Contamination Monitor (PCM) he then set off the alarm. This was the first indication of contamination. The RSO was immediately contacted and all remaining personnel exited the building and were found to be contaminated. Immediately upon discovery of the incident, all doors to the contaminated building (the H-1 building) were locked, all operations equipment was placed in the off position, and the building was secured. Building access was then restricted. The plant manager stopped all work at the site and informed his chain of command. In the days following the event the licensee performed a detailed survey to assess the extent of contamination. The survey showed general distributed contamination of the horizontal surfaces within the building. The maximum contamination level identified with this survey was 800,000 dpm/100cm2. The primary isotope was Co-60 (-90%), with Mn-54 and Sb-125 as other contributors. Seven personnel exhibited general distributed contamination of varying amounts on their exterior clothing and/or shoes and had indication of inhalation of radioactive material. All showered in the onsite Decontamination Room and then were monitored with an extended count in the PCM and all were released with only gamma related upper torso activity. Nasal swabs from affected personnel were analyzed, however the license has yet to share these or any other personnel dose data. Daily extended PCM counts continue for available personnel who exhibit upper torso gamma activity. Four individuals continue to exhibit this activity. In addition, in-vivo and in-vitro bioassay measurements were initiated and are in progress to complete the internal dose assessment process. It is expected that the offsite laboratory bioassay measurement data will be available in 2-3 weeks and the internal dose assessment will then be completed. The H-1 Building Containment itself remains restricted. The H-1 Building Containment will remain restricted and the work activities related to the encapsulation of materials inside this containment have been suspended indefinitely. This status will continue until corrective actions have been implemented in order to prevent a reoccurrence of this incident. The licensee contends the initial root cause of the incident was inadequate procedure implementation and training regarding radiological containment inspection and certification. Corrective actions that are planned include: 1. H-1 Building Containment program overhaul. 2. Upgrade procedures to include routine containment inspections to be conducted and implement additional independent verification by Alaron's Radiation Safety staff. 3. Highlight Operational procedures to require signature requirement verifying proper ventilation alignment is functioning prior to commencement of work. 4. Alarming differential pressure gauges will be installed on the HEPA units to provide warning of both HEPA buildup and/or breakthrough. 5. The RSO will review the current application of constant air monitors against problematic conditions such as radon gas buildup to ensure alarm setpoints can adequately protect workers from excessive derived air concentrations in the work zone and retrain all staff. 6. The RSO will review and upgrade shield frisking stations to ensure proper contamination control in areas that have a high dose background. 7. Implement a recurring refresher training program in addition to the recertification training programs. 8. General Manager to conduct an all hands 1-day stand down to communicate priorities (i.e. Safety, Health and environmental stewardship are the top priorities; anyone can stop a job if they feel any of these are being compromised, etc.) The cause of the event is believed to be inadequate procedure implementation and training. RIDO (Lilliendahl) and NMSS were notified.

ENS 5373714 November 2018 07:47:00The following was received from the state of Pennsylvania via email: On November 13, 2018, the Department (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) was notified by the licensee that part of the access control system to their J. L. Shepherd Model 81-14 beam irradiator containing approximately 9900 Curies of cesium 137 is currently inoperable. Specifically, the 'activation of the visual and audible alarm' and 'notification of another individual who is onsite of the entry' parts of 10 CFR 36.23(b). Non-compliance with this regulation also renders them in non-compliance with 10 CFR 36.23(c). The licensee is currently complaint with all other parts of the regulation. They have taken the alarm system off-line since it currently is alarming every time the facility door is opened, even though the source is in the shielded position. A security system vendor is on site as of today and is working on both issues. The licensee is currently also performing a root cause analysis alongside this security system vendor, and the state will perform a reactive inspection. PA Event Report ID No: PA180019
ENS 538123 January 2019 14:05:00The following report was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax: The licensee reported that on November 30, 2018, while using a Sentinel Model 880 Delta, Serial Number D-11934, containing a 39.2 Curie source of iridium-192, the guide tube had come unbound from the strapping used to hold the collimator and guide tube to the weld being inspected and fell approximately the full length of the guide tube. This left the guide tube hanging at a 90-degree angle from the exposure camera which proved too great to let the source be retracted into a shielded position inside the exposure device and left the source inside the collimator. The technicians secured the area by adjusting their 2 mR/hr boundaries to an unshielded source distance and immediately contacted their Operations Manager. Once on scene, the Operations Manager utilized various tools to straighten the guide tube enough for the source to be fully retracted into a shielded position. The device was taken back to the licensee's storage vault in Sugar Grove, PA for inspection and possible repair or disposal by the manufacturer. Direct read dosimetry showed exposures of 18 mR for the Operations Manager, 18 mR for the radiographer and 5 mR for the radiography assistant, thus no overexposures have occurred because of this event. Corrective actions include retraining on suspended exposure procedures and future discussion of this event at monthly staff meetings. The Department will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided upon receipt. Pennsylvania Report ID: PA190001
ENS 5386811 February 2019 14:15:00

The following report was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Radiation Protection via email: The licensee reported that on February 8, 2019, while reviewing a patient treatment plan, it was discovered that the patient had received a dose from a high dose rate remote afterloader containing iridium-192 that was less than the prescribed dose in the written directive. The original treatment plan was prescribed for 7.0 Gy per fraction, however at the beginning of the 3rd fraction it was noticed that the total dose delivered was 4.67 Gy instead of the prescribed 14 Gy they should have received for the same 2 fractions. The physician has informed the patient and will amend the written directive to add additional fractions at different doses to achieve the original prescribed dose to the treatment area. No more information is available at this time from the licensee. We will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Cause of the Event: Unknown / Human error. ACTIONS: The Department (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided upon receipt."

  • * * UPDATE AT 1227 EST ON 02/14/2019 FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO TOM KENDZIA * * *

The following update was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection via email: The patient received treatment on January 29, 2019, and February 5, 2019. The patient had not finished her initially scheduled 3rd fraction. The Medical Event was identified on Friday, February 8, 2019. The equipment manufacturer is Varian, model VariSource iX(t), Serial Number 00400. The source activity as of February 11, 2019 was 6.819 Ci. The licensee is still in the process of identifying root cause and corrective action. Pennsylvania Report: PA190003 Notified the R1DO (Ferdas) and NMSS Events (via email). 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.

ENS 5392511 March 2019 10:17:00The following was received from the state of Pennsylvania: On 2/13/19, a patient was administered 171 milliCuries (mCi) of liquid iodine 131 (I-131) through a feeding tube inserted into the patient's gastric tube as he was unable to swallow I-131 in pill form. While flushing the feeding tube with saline, a technologist noticed a pool of liquid next to the patient on a disposable drape, on the patient, and on the imaging table, that was determined to be radioactive. The feeding tube was removed from the gastric tube, and flushed, without any further leaking. All non-essential personnel were cleared from the room and the nuclear medicine staff contained the spill, decontaminated the patient and the site. All radioactive trash was contained in a lead-lined storage drum and secured. No hospital personnel were contaminated during this event. The licensee reported that given the I-131 dose was diluted with saline, the total amount of I-131 that was spilled could not be determined at the time of the event. In an effort to determine the activity and dose the licensee surveyed all contaminated items in their storage drum. Using this data and conservative decay calculations the licensee estimates 97.2 mCi was spilled. This resulted in an under-dose of 56.8 percent. The patient is scheduled for another administration to complete the therapy. The DEP (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Radiation Protection) will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Pennsylvania Event Report Number: PA190007 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.
ENS 5394519 March 2019 10:54:00The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax: On March 19, 2019, the licensee informed the Department (PA Department, Bureau of Radiation Protection) of a fixed gauge becoming disabled during routine source movement. It is reportable per 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2). Event location is Koppel, PA. During the process of installing a Co-60 source rod and moving it from a transfer shield to a gauge and industrial process mold, the licensee observed difficulty in getting the source rod to insert into the mold. It is suspected that the rod is slightly bent. The rod was retracted into the fully shielded position in a spare transfer shield. The transfer shield containing the Co-60 rod was then taken to a designated storage area where it is secured from unauthorized access. A service provider has been contacted for possible repair or replacement. No exposures over regulatory limits occurred. Radionuclide: Co-60 Manufacturer: Berthold Technologies Source Model: P 2608-100 Gauge Model: LB 300 ML Source Serial Number: unknown at this time Activity: approximately 12 milliCuries The rod has been securely stored and placed out of service until repairs or return can be accomplished by a licensed service provider. The Department has scheduled a reactive inspection. More information will be provided when available. PA Event Report ID No: PA190009
ENS 5395222 March 2019 14:22:00

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FAILED MOISTURE GAUGE SHUTTER The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via e-mail: The licensee reported that on March 21, 2019, the Berthold Technologies Model LB-7 410 moisture gauge containing 300 milliCuries of americium-241 was not able to operate as designed; the shutter locking mechanism cylinder was able to be pulled out of the gauge. The gauge was being removed from the east side of #3 Blast Furnace to the storage area at the Blast Furnace spares building. A service provider was already scheduled on site to observe removal and transport of the gauge. A contract employee working with the service provider stated that the cylinder was able to be pulled out of the gauge. The cylinder was never fully removed, but if it was, this would allow the shutter to be manually opened or closed. The cylinder locking device was depressed by the service provider employee and it is currently in that condition. The shutter can't be moved with the cylinder depressed. The gauge is currently locked in the storage area at the Blast Furnace spares building. All work was performed using ALARA principles and at no point were employees exposed to excess levels of radiation. Survey results indicated no abnormal amounts of radiation in the area before, during, or after the removal of the device. Berthold has been contact for repair or replacement. PA Event Report ID No: PA19001

  • * * RETRACTION FROM THE JOHN CHIPPO TO CATY NOLAN ON 4/24/19 AT 1059 EDT * * *

The following was received via fax: A follow-up interview and review of the operation of the locking mechanism was conducted with the contract employee. It was determined that the contract employee was unfamiliar with the operation of the locking mechanism at the time of the removal and that the cylinder never was able to be pulled out of the gauge. Based on this investigation, it has been determined that there was not a failure of the locking mechanism or shutter during the removal of the gauge on March 21, 2019. Therefore, this event should be retracted from NMED. Notified R1DO (Lilliendahl) and NMSS Events (via email).

ENS 5399010 April 2019 14:57:00The following report was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax: On April 8, 2019, the (Department of Environmental Protection) DEP was notified of a Cs-137 source that was discovered at a metal recycler, reportable per 10 CFR 20.2201(a)(1)(i). On April 8, 2019, a radiation portal monitor alarmed at a metal recycling facility in Slippery Rock, PA. The load was reading approximately 4 mR/hr at a distance of 4 ft through scrap metal. The load was transferred back to its origin at Mercer Lime and Stone where it could be off-loaded and sorted. DEP representatives oversaw the emptying of the load at Mercer Lime and Stone. An intact gauge was found bolted to a plate. A representative noted bolts for another gauge, but no gauge was found. The found gauge, Nuclear Chicago, series: PNA, model: 5193, serial number: 219, manufactured: 2/8/74, containing 200 mCi of Cs-137, was secured in a building on site. The current activity is 70.7 mCi. The remaining site has been cleared except for a few remaining buildings. Mercer Lime and Stone has a general license with DEP but did not notify the DEP of intent to terminate their license nor to vacate their licensed location. Upon later review of their license, it was noted they possessed two of the same model gauges, serial numbers 219 and 220. The whereabouts of serial number 220 are unknown at this time. The DEP is currently working to locate the owner of the site, and location of the (still) missing gauge. The DEP will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Event Report ID No.: PA190012 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf Note: This device is assigned an IAEA Category 3 value based on the actual radioactivity of the source, not on the device type. (Reference IAEA RG-G-1.9)
ENS 5412017 June 2019 11:08:00

The following was received by email from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: On Friday, June 14, 2019, the licensee experienced an equipment failure event during a brachytherapy treatment where the source failed to retract from the patient at the end of the treatment time. The catheter was immediately manually removed from the patient and placed in the emergency container and locked up. No harm is expected to the patient and no overexposures occurred. The HDR (High Dose Rate) unit, an Elekta Flexitron Model 136149A02, contained an iridium-192 source less than 12 Curies. The vendor, Best Vascular, was immediately notified and will be on site today, June 17, 2019, to retrieve the source and repair the device. The DEP (PA Department of Environmental Protection) will update this event as soon as more information is provided. The DEP will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided as received. PA Event Report ID No: PA-190014

  • * * UPDATE FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO OSSY FONT ON 6/19/19 AT 1002 (EDT) * * *

The following information was received from the DEP via fax: On Monday, June 17, 2019, a service engineer from Best Vascular was able to drive the sources into the catheter and retract them into the device several times without incident. The licensee now believes the CVBT (CardioVascular BrachyTherapy) catheter was not fully seated into the device, causing a small leak and a subsequent pressure differential which does not allow the source to fully retract into the device. The cause of the event is believed to be operator error. The DEP will perform a reactive inspection. Notified R1DO (Greives) and NMSS Events Notification via email. 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.

ENS 541518 July 2019 13:09:00The follow was received via fax: On July 8, 2019, the Department (Pennsylvania Department, Bureau of Radiation Protection) became aware of an under-dose event involving yttrium-90 (Y-90) SIR-Spheres. It is reportable as per 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1)(i). On July 5, 2019, a patient underwent a Y-90 SIR-Sphere treatment. The total dosage of 9.58 mCi was split into two equal dosages of 4.79 mCi to be administered to segments 5 and 8 of the liver. The first vial, segment 5, was successfully administered but only 75.7 percent or 3.6 mCi of the second vial was administered to segment 8. The referring physician and the patient were verbally informed. No harm is expected to the patient. The Department will perform a reactive inspection. Event Report ID No.: PA190015 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.
ENS 5421312 August 2019 14:05:00The following report was received from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection (PA DEP) via facsimile: As a result of a Departmental (PA DEP) inspection the licensee reported an equipment failure event that occurred on February 21, 2019. The equipment was a Varian GammaMed Plus, Serial #641017, containing 6.518 Ci of lr-192. A patient was receiving her last of three fractions of treatment with total treatment time for this fraction being 222.6 seconds divided through a total of eight positions. Twenty-five seconds into treatment the unit issued an inactive source error and retracted the source. The physicist entered the room to confirm that the source was retracted. The manufacturer was called. At the manufacturer's recommendation, the console key was powered off, then back on, and the remaining treatment was initiated to continue with the untreated area. This time at 25.8 seconds into the treatment the same error occurred. The remaining treatment plan was saved into the planning computer, and the patient had the applicator removed and was sent home. Varian sent a field service representative who successfully replaced the Geiger-Muller board and functionality was verified. The patient was then rescheduled. The continued treatment on February 25, 2019 accurately reflected the partial treatment and was appropriately scaled to reflect the source decay from the previous treatment. The final portion of the treatment was delivered without incident. There was no harm or overexposure to the patient. The patient was informed at the time. The attending physician has not been notified. Event Report ID No.: PA190018 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.
ENS 5423019 August 2019 14:17:00The following was received via fax: On August 16, 2019, a patient underwent a Y-90 SIR-Sphere treatment. The treatment plan was for 2 administrations of Y-90. The first administration was delivered without incident. The second administration was to be a total dosage of 12.27 mCi delivered to the right lobe of the liver. During this second administration, it was observed that the team had backflow into the administration vile. The administration was immediately halted, and the team took readings to ascertain the amount of material delivered. It was estimated that only 28 percent of the dose was delivered to the patient. The patient was verbally informed the day of the event. The referring physician was left a voicemail on the day of the event, however further attempts will be made to contact him directly. Event Report ID No.: PA190019 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.
ENS 5434624 October 2019 11:51:00The following information was received via E-mail: The licensee informed the Department (Pennsylvania Department of Radiation Protection) that a brachytherapy seed set was implanted in the wrong patient. It is reportable per 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(2)(iii)(B). On October 23, 2019, the licensee was performing a permanent brachytherapy during which an incorrect prostate brachytherapy seed set (lsoRay Model CS-1) was brought to the procedure room and 6 Cs-131 seeds were implanted into the prostate of a patient. The procedure was stopped immediately when the error was recognized. The correct seeds were then brought to the operating room and the procedure was completed using the correct seeds. Forty Seven (47) seeds, 85 gray, (3.135 mCi) were prescribed and 3.03 mCi given. The Authorized User notified the urologist and patient this morning (10/24/19). No harm is expected to the patient. The cause of the event is unknown at this time. The Department will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided as received. Pennsylvania Event Report ID No: PA190024 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.
ENS 543726 November 2019 09:12:00The following information was received via fax: On November 4, 2019 the licensee was performing a mask treatment with the Elekta Gamma Knife Icon containing Cobalt 60. The treatment was interrupted when the High Definition Motion Management tracking system lost communication with 1 minute and 29 seconds remaining from shot B6, (planned for 2 minutes 13 seconds) and 2 minutes 36 seconds remaining for B3 (No treatment was delivered from this shot). The sources safely retracted into their home position and the software message prompted the user to reinitiate the Gamma Knife system; however, an error message occurred on each attempt to reinitiate. The system was then rebooted; however, the same error occurred again. The patient was removed from the treatment vault and a service call was made to Elekta. The onsite service engineer arrived that same day to troubleshoot and new parts were ordered and arrived on November 5, 2019. The intent is to complete the remaining treatment on November 5, 2019 once the Gamma knife repair and subsequent QA is completed. The doctor and patient were informed immediately. No overdose to anyone has occurred and no harm is expected to the patient. The (PA Bureau of Radiation Protection) will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Pennsylvania Event Report ID No: PA190025 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.
ENS 543767 November 2019 14:08:00

EN Revision Text: AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MEDICAL EVENT The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via email: The Department (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) received notification from a licensee on November 6, 2019 that on October 8, 2019 they performed a prostate seed implant on a patient including seventy (70) stranded I-125 seeds that were implanted into the prostate treatment volume. They were Best Medical, Model 2301, Lot 48917, at 0.350 mCi per seed and 24.5 mCi total activity. The patient had an appointment on November 5, 2019 for a 30-day post-plan analysis. The CT from November 5, 2019 noted 2 seeds that were outside the prostate volume in the peril-prostatic fat. The post-plan analysis showed that 68 of 70 seeds are within the treatment volume and 94.4 percent of the treatment volume is covered by the prescription dose, which are within appropriate specifications for a prostate seed implant. The two seeds in question are considered discontinuous from the treatment volume. The licensee believes when the needle was retracted, the strand of seeds drug back with the needle and was deposited inferior from their intended location. An analysis was performed by the licensee and no adverse effects to the patient are expected. Both the patient and referring physician were notified. The Department will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Pennsylvania Event Report ID No: PA190026 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.

  • * * RETRACTION ON 11/19/19 AT 1148 EST FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO THOMAS KENDZIA * * *

The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via fax: As a result of a reactive inspection by the Department and an extensive review by the licensee, the licensee has determined the tissue containing the two seeds is within the contiguous peril-prostatic fat, which is actually physically adjacent to or touching the prostate, therefore this is not a reportable event. Further, changes noted in the radiograph taken on the day of the implant and the post-plan CT can be accounted for by the difference in patient positioning; from the lithotomy position for the implant image to the supine position for the post-plan image. Notified the R1DO (Cahill) and NMSS Event Notification via email.

ENS 5438514 November 2019 10:40:00The following was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP; the Department) via email: The Department received initial verbal notification from a licensee on November 8, 2019 of a possible reportable event with a detailed report on November 13, 2019 that on November 8, 2019 a reportable event occurred during an eye plaque implant (Theragenics model AgX100) containing 13 lodine-125 seeds. The seed activity was 3.728 mCi per seed for a total activity of 48.46 mCi. The prescribed dose was 8,500 rad with a planned treatment time of 101 hours. The implant was placed at 0745 (EDT) on 11/8/19. At approximately 0815 the patient complained of excessive pain. It is believed that the eye plaque had become dislodged from its proper position. It was removed at 1731 the same day. The licensee initial worst-case dose estimate to the normal sclera, conjunctiva and cornea is 1,899 rad at a depth of 1 mm for an 8.5 hour exposure. The dose at 2mm for this same time period is 1,425 rad. Both the patient and surgeon were notified. The effects on the patient are currently being evaluated. The DEP will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Event Report ID No: PA190027 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.
ENS 5444817 December 2019 10:44:00

EN Revision Imported Date : 1/10/2020 AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - HIGH DOSE RATE APPLICATOR DISLODGED The following was received from the PA Department Bureau of Radiation Protection (DEP) via fax: On December 16, 2019, the medical physicist for the licensee verbally reported that during an HDR (high dose rate) treatment using a Varian Model VariSource IX with a Tandem & Ovoid applicator, the applicator was found dislodged at the end of the treatment period. This was fraction 4 of 5 planned fractions. It is unknown at this time how long the applicator was not in the planned position or what caused it to move. The prescribed dose was 600 cGy from a 5.126 Ci Iridium-192 source. No further information is available at this time. The DEP will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Event Report ID No: PA190029 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.

  • * * UPDATE ON 1/9/20 AT 1:17 PM FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO KARL DIEDERICH * * *

The following information was received from the Agreement State via fax: The patient was seen on 12/27/2019, 12/30/2019, and 1/6/2020 for follow-up appointments. Observed skin effects were described as 'moist desquamation' due to the applicator being dislodged from the vaginal canal and positioned against the skin. The patient is being treated with Silvadene topical cream and will be followed up with regular skin checks. Based on the evidence observed, the licensee assumes that the applicator was against the skin long enough to deliver a skin dose in the range of 10-30 Gy. This dose makes the event a potential Abnormal Occurrence. The Department has performed a reactive inspection and continues to investigate the event. Notified R1DO (Schroeder) and NMSS group (via e-mail).

ENS 5449729 January 2020 14:31:00

The following was received from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection (the Department) via email: On January 29, 2020, the licensee informed the Department that one of their vehicles, with a nuclear density gauge in the trunk, was stolen earlier that day. The licensee has filed a police report. The Department has been in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. The gauge is a CPN International, Model MC-1 DR-P (Serial Number: M7077803), with a 10 mCi Cs-137 source and a 50 mCi Am-241/Be source. PA Event Report ID No.: PA200002

  • * * UPDATE ON 1/30/2020 AT 1346 EST FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO ANDREW WAUGH * * *

The following was received from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection (the Department) via email: At approximately 2250 EST on January 29, 2020 the licensee informed the Department the stolen car had been recovered with the gauge still padlocked in the trunk of the car and secured with a padlocked chain. The employee had started his car and then returned to his house to get his lunch, and the car was stolen during this time. Notified R1DO (Henrion), NMSS Events (email), ILTAB (email), and CNSC (email). THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf

ENS 5454225 February 2020 13:49:00The following report was received via email from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: During an inspection on February 20, 2020, an above normal reading on a Cesium-137 level gauge source head was discovered. Radiation measurements ranged from approximately 15 to 45 millirem per hour at one foot from the back of the source holder cap. It should be noted this gauge is located 11.5 feet off the ground, in an area with no stationed personnel or foot traffic. The device is a Kayray Model 7062B level gauge (Serial No. 21462) containing 25 milliCuries of Cs-137. The licensee immediately removed the device from service, the area was secured to ensure background radiation levels, and the manufacturer was contacted to initiate either a repair or replacement of the gauge. The area will remain secured until the device is able to be put into service again. PA incident number: PA200005
ENS 5460825 March 2020 11:58:00The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via email: The (Pennsylvania) Department (of Environmental Protection) received notification from a licensee on March 23, 2020 of the loss or theft of four tritium exit signs during shipment from the manufacturer/distributor in Canada to distributer/installer in (Winter Haven,) Florida. The tritium exit signs are model number 880-20-1-BK-BA-MB, 12.57 Curies each for a total of 50.28 Curies. The serial numbers are: H135434, H135435, H135436, H135437. The shipper believes the package was delivered on December 5, 2019, but the Florida installer didn't determine the material to be lost until March 13, 2020. An investigation with (the common carrier) has already begun to find the package. The (Department) will update this event as soon as more information is provided. The Department will perform a reactive inspection as soon as possible. PA Event Report ID No: PA200006 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
ENS 546416 April 2020 14:09:00

The following was received from the State of Pennsylvania via E-mail: The (PA DEP Bureau of Radiation Protection) Department received notification from a licensee on April 3, 2020 of a medical event involving Y-90 TheraSphere microspheres. The licensee believes a patient undergoing a multiple lobe injection of the liver received only 62.7 percent of the prescribed dose in one of the lobes. The second lobe is believed to have received the correct dose. The DEP is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. The Department will perform a reactive inspection as soon as possible. Pennsylvania Event Report ID No.: PA200007

  • * * UPDATE ON 04/07/2020 AT 1353 EDT FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO JEFFREY WHITED * * *

The following was received from the State of Pennsylvania via E-mail: The patient was prescribed TheraSphere Y-90 Microspheres at 2.47 GBq total with 2.25 Gbq prescribed to the liver because of 9.1 percent lung shunt. The licensee reports total dose 1.536 GBq, and 1.4 GBq to liver. Ultimately only 62.7 percent (75.3 Gy) of the planned dose was able to be administered to segment 6 of the liver. While attempting to administer the Y-90 dose to treat a lesion in Segment 6 of the liver there was significant resistance to flow. The AU evaluated the microcatheter system to ensure that there were no kinks along the catheter course external to the patient or visualized internally under fluoroscopy. The licensee believes the issue came from blockage at or before the 'E' site on the labeled tubing of the administration set, given that when it was disconnected from the microcatheter at that location, they were able to successfully flush the catheter. The patient then had a subsequent segment 7 segmentectomy using tubing from a box set from a different lot number without incident. No adverse effects to the patient are anticipated and the patient and referring physician were notified the day of the event. Notified R1DO (Lilliendahl) and NMSS Events Notification via email. 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.

ENS 5467923 April 2020 10:57:00The following information was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via email: On April 5, 2020, a technician reported to the (licensee radiation safety officer) RSO that when a shutter handle on a Berthold LB8010 with 20 mCi Cs-137 was moved to the closed position, the radiation survey indicated reduced radiation, but not the expected level. The shutter was opened and closed again, and radiation levels were lower but not at normal closed position levels. The gauge has been removed from service and is secured onsite in Canton, PA, awaiting a shipping container for return to the manufacturer. The gauge will be returned for repair or replacement. No personnel overexposure has occurred. The Department (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection) will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided upon receipt. Pennsylvania Report ID No.: PA200008
ENS 546966 May 2020 12:43:00

The following information was received via email: The Department (Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection) received notification from a licensee on May 5, 2020, of a medical event involving a Varian GammMedplus iX high dose rate remote afterloader (HDR) containing 8.6 Ci of iridium 192. The patient was set to receive 10 fractions (channels) of breast cancer treatment. An error was noted when treatment from the third channel was attempted. The source was retracted back into the safe position upon the error indication. Staff reset the unit and rebooted. The unit functioned normally for the fourth channel. During the fifth channel the machine experienced another fault, but the source did not automatically retract. Staff then attempted two emergency stop procedures; however, both failed. Staff were finally able to manually retract the source after approximately two to four minutes; however, it hasn't been determined if the source was completely retracted into the shielded safe on the HDR due to catheter interference. The patient was quickly disconnected from the catheter, everyone was immediately removed, and the room was secured from entry. No dose is expected outside the HDR room as it is housed within an accelerator vault. The manufacturer has been contacted. The licensee has also requested the log files from the manufacturer for dose reconstruction of those involved. The department is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. PA Event Report ID No: PA200011

  • * * UPDATE ON 5/7/20 AT 1208 EDT FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO ANDREW WAUGH * * *

The following information was received via email: Manufacturer service technicians removed the wire/source from the afterloader on 5/6/2020. Preliminarily, it appears the source became stuck approximately 4 to 5 inches from the shielded park position (inside the afterloader, but outside the shielded safe). Dosimetry badges have been sent for emergency read, results are expected today, and those results are expected to be minimal. The patient and all personnel involved were surveyed after the incident and readings were at background levels. Notified R1DO (Dentel) and NMSS Event Notifications (email).

  • * * UPDATE ON 5/12/20 AT 1158 EDT FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO JEFFREY WHITED * * *

The following information was received via email: The preliminary dosimetry report indicates three staff members involved in the event. The technologist received 4 mrem whole body dose, the authorized user received 3 mrem whole body dose and the AMP received 3 mrem whole body dose and a 15 mrem dose on their finger dosimeter. No other dose information was received at this time. Notified R1DO (Lally) and NMSS Event Notifications (email). 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.

ENS 5470512 May 2020 12:00:00The following was received via email: On May 11, 2020 the licensee received a 10 gallon drum that fell outside of the Department of Transportation (DOT) dose rate level limitations. The package came from Cadman Materials, Inc. in Vancouver WA. The material inside is a gauge with a Cs-137 sealed source inside with an activity of 100 millicuries (3700 MBq). The package was shipped as UN2915, Radioactive Material Type A Package with Yellow-II labeling and a Transport Index of 0.1. Upon survey at receipt, the container exhibited dose rates of 3.4 rem/hr on contact, 240 mrem/hr at 12 inches, and 18 mrem/hr at 3.3 feet. The delivering carrier, and the client, Cadman Materials, have been notified. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection will update this event as soon as more information is provided. The event is reportable per 10 CFR 20.1906(d)(2). PA Event Report ID No: PA200012
ENS 5483513 August 2020 14:47:00The (Pennsylvania) Department (of Environmental Protection (DEP)) received notification from a licensee on August 12, 2020, of a medical event involving Yttrium-90 Sir-Spheres. The licensee believes a patient received only 47% of the prescribed dose. The prescribed dose was 1.44 GBq and the delivered dose is believed to be 0.67 GBq. Preliminary cause is believed to be a clotted catheter. The licensee continues to investigate the event. The patient and referring physician were informed following the procedure. The DEP is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. PA NMED Event # PA2000016 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.
ENS 549367 October 2020 13:19:00The following was received from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection (BRP; the Department) via email: On Sunday afternoon, September 28, 2020, the Department was notified of radioactive material found in a private residence being cleaned-out for an auction sale. BRP staff responded and found several sealed radium-226 sources and small quantities of uranium ore. The initial investigation revealed an additional nearby property also had radioactive material present. Staff inspected that property as well and discovered several more items. Owners of the houses were related and have passed away. HazMat responder's shoes and gloves were surveyed on September 28, with no removable contamination noted. Ambient dose rates were in the microrem to few millirem per hour range around the sources. The houses were secured that evening and further investigation continued through the week. As of October 7, 45 items have been collected. Note, some items contain multiple exempt sources, pieces of rock, or bottles of circa 1920 quack medical tablets with radium-226. These items include: old quack radium consumer products, exempt check sources, vacuum tubes, a military compass, luminous tubes and deck markers, cans of thorium oxide, and various other items containing radium-226, thorium-232, strontium-90, carbon-14, and natural uranium in quantities ranging from less than a microCurie to a few milliCuries (in the case of two radium-226 sources). An empty 5 gallon pail with 'US Radium, Bloomsburg PA' stenciled on the side was found. It is believed this old manufacturer of radium products, and now an EPA Superfund site, is where these items originated from. No exposure to members of the public above the public dose limit of 100 mrem per year are believed to have occurred during discovery and recovery, as the higher activity sources were within lead containers when found. BRP will update this event if more information becomes available. A complete inventory and activity calculations are underway for proper disposal. Event Report ID No: PA200020 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
ENS 5496421 October 2020 15:59:00The following information was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania via email: On October 20, 2020 the licensee discovered a lost gadolinium-153 source. This source, Eckert and Ziegler Model NES8412, is an attenuation correction source in a SPECT camera. These sources are sold in pairs, and the serial numbers for the pair are R3-129 and R3-130. Only one is missing and it is unknown which it is currently. The licensee believes the sources were present in mid-June when the source holders were removed from the gamma camera in preparation for scrapping. The licensee is investigating to confirm that is true. The sources were nominally 250 mCi (+20%/-10%) each on March 1, 2019. The activity on June 15, 2020 was calculated to be 64 mCi, and on the date of discovery 44 mCi. The licensee has notified its facility and safety staff and is actively searching for the source. The DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) has been in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. PA incident no.: PA200022 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
ENS 5504323 December 2020 11:30:00The following information was received via email: On December 10, 2020, the licensee discovered a lost iodine-131 shipment. The shipper of the 475 mCi of iodine-131 Liquid (Yellow II label) delivered the package to the wrong address, a neighboring business. The package was delivered to the licensee by the recipient before the package was known to be 'lost', later on the scheduled delivery date. The surface reading of 12 mR/hr was obtained upon the licensee receiving the package. The package was estimated to be in the possession of the recipient for approximately 1 hour. The estimated dose was approximately 12 mrem if an individual had been in contact with the package for the entire time it was in the possession of the recipient. Since the material was delivered by the recipient within the time frame the shipper would normally deliver, and the facility had no reason to suspect the material was incorrectly delivered, the licensee will inform the shipper of the incident to handle training of their staff on proper delivery of radioactive packages. PA Event Report ID No.: PA200024 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "LESS THAN CAT 3" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
ENS 5513915 March 2021 10:48:00The following was received via an email from the state of Pennsylvania: The Department (PA Bureau of Radiation Protection) received notification from a licensee on March 12, 2021 of medical event involving yttrium-90 TheraSphere (TM). The licensee believes a patient received only 2 milliCurie of the 63.7 milliCurie prescribed dose. The connection piece between the Therasphere (TM) apparatus and the patient catheter failed when the injection started. All contamination was contained with absorbent pads that were located below the connection. The room, staff and patient were extensively surveyed and not found to be contaminated. The patient and the prescribing physician have been informed. No adverse effects to the patient are anticipated. The Department is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Pennsylvania Event Report ID No: PA210002 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.
ENS 5515829 March 2021 14:49:00The following was received by email from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: The licensee reported that on February 12, 2021 while using a QSA Global Model 880, Serial # D15520, containing a 128 Curie source of iridium-192, the source failed to fully retract and lock. The technicians secured the area by adjusting their 2 mR/hr boundaries to an unshielded source distance and immediately contacted their company designee. Once on scene, the designee surveyed the scene and device and found elevated readings. Working the crank handle back and forth several times he was able to return the source to the secured and locked position. The device was taken back to the licensee's storage vault in Williamsport, PA for inspection. The cause of the incident is believed to be cold temperature and freezing of the lock mechanism. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) subsequently investigated the incident and found that neither the radiographer nor the assistant radiographer had been performing proper radiation surveys during the workday which would have identified the lock failure sooner. As a result, the radiographer received a dose of 876 mR. We are still awaiting a dose on the assistant radiographer. Corrective actions include retraining all radiography employees to follow proper procedure. Also, both the radiographer and assistant radiographer are no longer employed by the licensee. PA Event Report ID No: PA210003
ENS 5537623 July 2021 13:00:00The following was received via an email from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) via email: On July 22, 2021 a patient was receiving a Lutetium-177 (Lutathera) treatment when technicians had difficulty establishing an IV injection site and flow. Several attempts were made, but ultimately they all failed. The prescribed dose was 200 milliCuries, but it is estimated that the patient received only 18 millicuries. No adverse effects to the patient are noted at this time and none are expected. The patient and prescribing physician have been informed. Preliminary cause is suspected to be poor venous access for patient as well as incorrect gauge needle used for patient access. The DEP will update this event as soon as more information is provided. The Department will perform a reactive inspection. Pennsylvania Event Report ID No: PA210008 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.
ENS 555127 October 2021 15:17:00The following was received via an email from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) (the Department) via email: The Department received notification from a licensee on October 6, 2021, that on September 21, 2021 a Model Humboldt 5001-EZ nuclear gauge (serial number 5434) was run over by a dump truck while on a temporary job site. This type of gauge typically contains 11 millicuries of Cs-137 and 44 millicuries of Am-241 for the Am-Be neutron source. The area was secured, and the licensee Radiation Safety Officer determined that the sources were secure, and gauge was not leaking. The gauge was transported to Pennoni's King of Prussia office and the sources were leak tested. The leak test samples showed no evidence of radiological material. The unit is out of service and will be sent to the manufacturer or other licensed facility for further review. There was no exposure to workers or the public. The DEP is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Pennsylvania Event Report ID Number: PA210014
ENS 5553521 October 2021 11:04:00The following was received from Pennsylvania, Bureau of Radiation Protection (the Department) via email: On October 20, 2021, the licensee informed the Department of a failure of a shutter. It is reportable per 10 CFR 31.5(b)(5). On March 26, 2019, the licensee identified a defective linear actuator assembly on one of its Beta Control Mk 1.0 (serial number 559 / KP983) devices. The device contains 267 mCi (9.9 GBq) of Kr-85. The defect prevented the source from returning fully to its home shielded position. After initial discovery, a service provider manually moved the device to fully align with the shutter assembly. At a later date, it was discovered the unit had drifted out of alignment again. At this time a service provider installed a plate directly on the device effectively sealing the unit, regardless of alignment with shutter assembly. No exposures resulted from this event. The Department will perform a reactive inspection. A service provider has already corrected the problem. Event Report ID No: PA210016
ENS 5553621 October 2021 11:04:00The following was received from Pennsylvania, Bureau of Radiation Protection (the Department) via email: On October 5, 2020, the licensee identified a failed return spring on one of its NDC 103 (serial number 3020641) devices. The device contains 148 mCi (5.55 GBq) of Am-241. The written report received from the service provider on Oct 5, 2020 stated that the secondary shutter device for the device in question failed to close. The primary shutter assembly remained operational at all times. The secondary shutter assembly defect was addressed and corrected by the service provider at the earliest possible time (next scheduled machine downtime event). No overexposures resulted from this event. The Department will perform a reactive inspection. A service provider has already corrected the problem. Event Report ID No: PA210017
ENS 556308 December 2021 09:01:00The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by email: On December 6, 2021, a patient underwent a Y-90 TheraSphere treatment. There were no apparent issues during the treatment, but the four-sided equipment readings before and after treatment indicated that only 63% of the prescribed dosage got into the patient. The prescribed dose was 4.08 GBq and the calculated received dose was 2.57 GBq. Preliminarily the licensee believes there was a flow issue and the micro catheter caused some of the material to precipitate out. The licensee is currently investigating to determine if that is the cause. The patient and physician have been informed. No adverse effects to the patient are anticipated. PA Event Report ID No: PA210019 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.
ENS 5571427 January 2022 11:09:00The following information was received via E-mail: On January 26, 2022 the licensee informed the Department (Department of Environmental Protection) of a medical event. It is reportable as per 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1)(i). The Department received notification from a licensee on January 26, 2022 of a medical event involving Yttium-90 TheraSpheres. The entire procedure occurred without incident and the routine contamination survey identified no contamination. However, when the waste was measured following the procedure, the percent of prescribed activity administered was 70.6 percent (administered = 27.72 mCi, prescribed activity = 39.24 mCi). No harm is expected to the patient. No further information is available at this time. The Department is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Pennsylvania Event Report ID No.: PA220002 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.
ENS 5573610 February 2022 09:02:00The following report was report was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Bureau Radiation Protection via email: On February 9, 2022, the licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) was completing shutter checks and leak tests on a Ronan, Model Number: SAI-F37 fixed gauge. Its serial Number is AA-485 and it contains 10 milliCuries of Cesium-137. During the checks the shutter's shear pin broke and he was unable to close the shutter. The vessel that this gauge is on is not entered very often and is not readily accessible. The RSO has notified the manufacturer for a repair. No more information is available at this time. Pennsylvania Event Report Number: PA220005
ENS 5574016 February 2022 10:38:00The following report was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Bureau Radiation Protection (the Department) via email: The Department (DEP) received notification from a licensee on February 15, 2022, of medical event involving dose to an incorrect treatment site. An Elekta/Nucletron Remote Afterloader containing 6.421 Curies of iridium 192 (serial number V3/ 10799) with a Valencia skin applicator was to treat the lower third nasal dorsum with 600 cGy. However, the prescribing physician specified the right nasal sidewall. Therefore, the patient received 600 cGy to her lower 3rd nasal dorsum and not right nasal sidewall. The patient and prescribing physician were informed on February 14, 2022. The patient is being monitored and at this time no adverse effects are evident. The DEP is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Pennsylvania Event Report Number: PA220007 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.
ENS 557664 March 2022 11:23:00The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) via e-mail: On March 3, 2022 a patient was receiving a Lutetium-177 (Lutatherar) treatment. During treatment, the vial lost pressure resulting in the inability to deliver the majority of the dose to the patient. Remedial measures were attempted, such as Dermabond and the addition of air, however, the procedure still could not continue, and it was terminated. No contamination was found outside of the delivery box. The prescribed dose was 200 milliCuries and it is estimated that the patient received 1.4 milliCuries. An investigation into the cause of the event is underway by the licensee. No adverse effects to the patient are noted at this time and the patient and prescribing physician have been informed. The DEP will update this event as soon as more information is provided. PA Event Report ID No: PA220009 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.
ENS 558267 April 2022 14:06:00The following was received from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (the department or DEP) via email: On April 7, 2022, the licensee informed the department that a Troxler Model 3440 nuclear density gauge, serial number 31109, containing 8 milliCuries of cesium-137 and 40 milliCuries of americium-241 had been stolen. The gauge was secured in the back of the technician's vehicle at his residence. The technician was leaving his residence this morning around 0800 EDT and the vehicle was missing with the gauge inside. The incident was reported to the Philadelphia Police Department and they have yet to respond to the situation. The DEP will update this event as soon as more information is provided. Event Report ID No: PA220012 THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A 'Less than Cat 3' LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL Sources that are "Less than IAEA Category 3 sources," are either sources that are very unlikely to cause permanent injury to individuals or contain a very small amount of radioactive material that would not cause any permanent injury. Some of these sources, such as moisture density gauges or thickness gauges that are Category 4, the amount of unshielded radioactive material, if not safely managed or securely protected, could possibly - although it is unlikely - temporarily injure someone who handled it or were otherwise in contact with it, or who were close to it for a period of many weeks. For additional information go to http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1227_web.pdf
ENS 5585120 April 2022 11:49:00The following was received from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Radiation Protection by e-mail: On April 18, 2022, a patient underwent a Y-90 SIR-Sphere treatment. The prescribed dosage was 7.07 milliCuries, however only 5.27 milliCuries was able to be delivered, or 74.5 percent. The apparent cause is that the blood vessel the catheter was placed in had a complicated vasculature which inhibited the flow of the spheres. No harm is expected to the patient. The referring physician and the patient have been informed. Event Report ID Number: PA220014 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.
ENS 558795 May 2022 08:13:00The following was received from the state of Pennsylvania (the Department) via email: On May 4, 2022, the licensee informed the Department of an equipment malfunction. The licensee reported that on May 3, 2022 a QSA Global Model 880 containing a 37 Curie source of Iridium-192 malfunctioned. The camera's serial number is D15520 and the source serial number is 36110M. During the course of radiographic operations, the automatic lock slide that secures the source failed to completely close. While the source was completely retracted, secured, and verified using a survey meter, the camera was not fully functioning as intended. The licensee contacted with QSA Global, who suspect a spring malfunction. The camera was sent back to QSA for evaluation and repair. There were no overexposures because of this event. PA Event Report No: PA220015
ENS 558897 May 2022 09:54:00The following information was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Radiation Protection (Department) via fax: On May 6, 2022, the University of Pennsylvania informed the Department of an underdose incident on May 4, 2022, involving yttrium-90 (Y90) SIR-Spheres. A patient underwent a Y90 SIR-Sphere treatment and the catheter placement changed during a SIR-Spheres administration and the Authorized User intentionally stopped the administration as continuing could have resulted in harm to the patient. The administered activity was 67 percent of the prescribed activity (15.1 mCi vs 22.51 mCi). The Department will perform a reactive inspection and is currently in contact with the University of Pennsylvania. The event will be updated this as soon as more information is provided. It is reportable as per 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1)(i). Pennsylvania Report Number: PA220017 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.
ENS 5590420 May 2022 09:21:00

The following was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (the Department) via email: On May 19, 2022, the licensee informed the Department of an incident involving Cobalt 60 in a Leksell (R) Gamma Knife Perfexion. It is reportable as per 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1). On May 18, 2022, a patient underwent treatment of four lesions in the brain. Upon review of the treatment, the physicist noticed that all four lesions were missed by approximately 0.5 centimeters and healthy brain tissue was treated. The patient and referring physician have been informed. The Department is currently in contact with the licensee and will update this event as soon as more information is provided. The Department will perform a reactive inspection. More information will be provided as received. Event Report ID No: PA220018 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.

  • * * UPDATE ON 05/25/2022 AT 0949 EDT FROM JOHN CHIPPO TO OSSY FONT * * *

The following updated was received from the Department via email: The patient had MRIs and CT Scans. Those images were fused by the neurosurgeon and radiation oncologist. Upon completion of the treatment, they discovered that although the targets were moved with the second image fusion, the shots and contours were not. This resulted in the treatment being 0.5 cm off for all 4 targets. Prescribed dose was 20 to 21 Gy, delivered dose to target tissue was 8 to 15 Gy, maximum dose to healthy tissue is estimated to range from 21.82 to 27.09 Gy. More information is expected once the licensee completes their investigation. Notified R1DO (Eve) and NMSS Events Notification via email.