Press Release-IV-98-018, NRC Proposes to Fine Wood River Medical Center $2,750 for Violations in ITS Nuclear Medicine Program

Press Release-IV-98-018, NRC Proposes to Fine Wood River Medical Center $2,750 for Violations in ITS Nuclear Medicine Program

ML003709929
Person / Time
Issue date:	04/28/1998
From:	Office of Public Affairs Region IV
To:
Category:Press Release
References
Press Release-IV-98-018
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U.S.NuclearRegulatoryCommissionOfficeofPublicAffairs,RegionIV611RyanPlazaDrive-Suite400Arlington,Texas76011-8064RIV:98-18FORIMMEDIATERELEASECONTACT:BreckHendersonApril28,1998 OFFICE:817/860-8128 PAGER:(800)443-7243(065477)NRCPROPOSESTOFINEWOODRIVERMEDICALCENTER$2,750FORVIOLATIONSINITSNUCLEARMEDICINEPROGRAMTheNuclearRegulatoryCommissionstaffhasproposeda$2,750civilpenaltyagainstWoodRiverMedicalCenterofSunValley,Idaho,fornumerous violationsofNRCrequirementsinitsnuclearmedicineprogram.NRCistakingthisactionastheresultoffindingsfromaninspectionconductedlastNovember4-December30;aninvestigationthatwascompletedon February23;andinformationprovidedbythemedicalcenterbeforetheinspection andduringanenforcementconferenceheldFebruary6attheNRCRegionIV officeinArlington,Texas.NRC'sinspectionandinvestigationconfirmedthatatechniciandeliberatelyfalsifiedrequiredradiationsurveys.Thecivilpenaltyisbasedonthisviolationand 20otherinstancesofnoncompliancewithNRCadministrative,monitoring,training andrecord-keepingrequirements.WoodRiveralsowascitedforanother proceduralviolation,butafinewasnotproposed.TheNRChasdeterminedthatnoneofthesesafetyviolationsresultedinaradiationexposuretohospitalstafforpatients.InhisletterinformingWoodRiver ofthecivilpenalty,NRCRegionalAdministratorEllisMerschoffnotedthatthe violationswerediscoveredafteraformermedicalcentertechnologist,onhisown initiative,toldhospitalmanagementthathehadpreparedinaccuraterecordsof radiationsurveysneverperformed.Themedicalcenterthencontractedwitha consultanttoreviewitsnuclearmedicineprogram,informedtheNRCofthe reportedrecordsfalsification,andlaterreportedtheconsultant'sfindingstothe agency.Althoughtheconsultantdidnotfindeveryviolation,Mr.Merschoffsaid, heidentifiedthemoresignificantones.Mr.Merschoffpointedoutthatalackofoversightbytheradiationsafety officerandhospitaladministrationcontributedtothewillfulfalsificationofrecords.NRCinvestigatorsdeterminedthattheformeremployeeinvolvedhadneverbeen formallytrainedasanuclearmedicinetechnologist.Theindividualalsosaidhe wasworkingupto200hoursduringatwo-weekpayperiodanddidnotfully understandmanyofthetaskshewasassigned."Theseviolationsclearlyindicateadeteriorationofyourradiationsafetyprogram,"Mr.Merschoffwrote.Headdedthattrainingandprogramreviews scheduledafteranNRCinspectionin1993provedineffectiveinensuringlasting correctiveactionsforviolationsobservedatthattimebecauseofasimilarlackof oversight.TheregionaladministratorsaidNRCdecidedtoproposeafinebecause of"thelackofoversight...overaperiodofseveralyearsandthepervasivenessof thebreakdowninyourradiationsafetyprogram."ThehospitalmustrespondtotheNoticeofViolationinwritingwithin30days.Theresponsemustdocumentspecifyactionstakentopreventrecurrenceof theviolations.Duringthistimethecompanymaypaythefineorfileaprotest.