A medical event was discovered on January 15, 2009, for a patient treated at the
VA Medical Center, Durham,
North Carolina.
This medical event involved a patient who had undergone permanent implant prostate seed brachytherapy using iodine-125 seeds. The resulting seed distribution in the patient was associated with a D90 dose to the treatment site that was less than 80% of the prescribed dose. The circumstances are interpreted to meet the definition of a medical event under 10 CFR 35.3045(a)(1)(i).
A 15-day written report on this medical event will be submitted to NRC Region III. [The licensee] notified [the] NRC Project Manager, Cassandra Frazier (NRC Region III), of this medical event.
Department of Veterans Affairs has a Master Materials License (MML) from the NRC: License No. 03-23853-01VA. Permits are issued under the MML to VA facilities. The VA submits reports to the NRC through the VHA's National Health Physics Program office located in North Little Rock, AR. Address of permittee involved in this event: VA Medical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, North Carolina 27705. VHA permit number of permittee involved in event: Permit No. 32-01134-01.
A Medical Event may indicate potential problems in a medical facilities use of radioactive materials. It does not necessarily result in harm to the patient.