| U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center Event Reports For
8/17/2018 - 8/20/2018 ** EVENT NUMBERS ** |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 53458 | Rep Org: UTAH DIVISION OF RADIATION CONTROL
Licensee: UNIVERSITY OF UTAH RADIATION SAFETY
Region: 4
City: SALT LAKE CITY State: UT
County:
License #: UT 1800001
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: SPENCER WICKHAM
HQ OPS Officer: ANDREW WAUGH | Notification Date: 06/15/2018
Notification Time: 16:55 [ET]
Event Date: 06/14/2018
Event Time: 00:00 [MDT]
Last Update Date: 08/17/2018 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
NICK TAYLOR (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MEDICAL EVENT
The following was received from the State of Utah via email:
"The licensee informed the State of Utah they are evaluating a potential medical event. A patient was implanted with 54 Pd-103 seeds in the prostate under ultrasound guidance. Per standard practice, the patient returned for a CT scan to verify the placement of the seeds. The CT scan revealed that 32 of the seeds had been implanted outside of the prostate. In addition, only 51 seeds were located, likely the result of 3 seeds being passed via stool. They believe that several additional seeds are in the rectum and will be passed following an enema."
Utah Event Report ID No.: UT180003
* * * UPDATE ON 8/17/2018 AT 1106 EDT FROM TIM BUTLER TO ANDREW WAUGH * * *
The following update was received from the State of Utah via email:
"The licensee reported a medical event involving a patient treated for prostate cancer. The treatment included implanting 54 Pd-103 brachytherapy [seeds] (Theragenics, Theraseed) containing a total activity of 4 GBq (108.167 mCi), in the patient's prostate for a prescribed therapeutic radiation dose of 12,500 cGy (rad). The prostate gland only received approximately 1,000 cGy (rad). The seeds were implanted on June 14, 2018 under ultrasonic guidance. On June 15, 2018, the patient returned to the facility for a post implant CT scan. The scan showed that the implanted seeds, although in an appropriate pattern, were placed outside the intended target. The Licensee's Radiation Oncology group determined that an additional quality assurance review was warranted. The State performed a reactive inspection during the week of June 15, 2018. The cause was determined to be human error. An unintended dose to the rectum of approximately 18,677 cGy (rad) was received, where no dose was anticipated. Corrective actions included changes to the prostate brachytherapy protocol to incorporate an additional step to ensure the medical physicist and authorized user clearly identifies the prostate gland and the surrounding anatomy. The treatment will be cancelled if the prostate gland and surrounding anatomy cannot be visualized adequately."
Notified R4DO (Deese), INES Coordinator (Milligan), and NMSS Event Notifications 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. |
| !!!!! THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED. THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RETRACTED !!!!! | | Non-Agreement State | Event Number: 53506 | Rep Org: VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS
Licensee: SE GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEMS
Region: 1
City: BRUNSWICK State: GA
County:
License #: 45-309857-01
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: KATHARINE ARZATE
HQ OPS Officer: THOMAS KENDZIA | Notification Date: 07/13/2018
Notification Time: 16:21 [ET]
Event Date: 07/13/2018
Event Time: 11:25 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/20/2018 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
30.50(b)(2) - SAFETY EQUIPMENT FAILURE
30.50(b)(3) - MED TREAT INVOLVING CONTAM
| Person (Organization):
STEVE ROSE (R2DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
GREG PICK (R4DO)
FRED BOWER (R1DO) | Event Text MEDICAL EVENT
The following information is a synopsis of information received via E-mail:
A HDR [high dose rate] brachytherapy incident occurred in Brunswick, Georgia, on July 13, 2018. No one, including the patient, was exposed to excessive radiation. SE Georgia Health Systems treated a Gyn [gynecology] patient using the GammaMed Plus HDR unit and a Tandem and Ring applicator set, both supplied by Varian. Upon completion of the treatment, the source wire retracts back into the shielded HDR unit for safe storage. At that time the room was checked with a survey meter and no exposure readings above background were measured. The HDR unit was surveyed to ensure that the source wire had retracted. The exposure reading on the surface demonstrated that the wire had retracted, and the room was safe. Upon scanning the patient's surface, however, a reading of approximately 2.5mR/hr was measured, which was higher than the expected background reading. The applicator was removed from the patient and scanned, the increased exposure reading was in the applicator. The applicator was placed into a large shielded container provided by Varian and immediately placed in safe storage. The patient, the bedding, and all other materials associated with the implant were re-scanned with no readings above background. The patient was removed from the room, deemed safe and released. The time was recorded to be approximately 5 to 6 minutes and will be used for dose estimates.
The HDR unit was re-scanned along with the Linac vault. All were deemed clear and safe. The HDR unit was locked and secured. Patient treatments in the Linac continued.
The applicator device was then scanned one piece at a time and it was determined that the Ring portion of the Tandem and Ring set was contaminated. It was assumed that the contamination was secure inside the ring which is a rounded hollow metal tube. Exposure readings at the surface of the ring were 96 mR/hr at the surface and approximately 30 mR/hr at 6 inches.
SE Georgia Health Systems notified the Georgia Radiation Protection Programs, and Varian Medical Systems of this incident.
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 FROM KATHY ARZATE TO HOWIE CROUCH AT 1050 EDT ON 8/7/18 * * *
"After investigation and arrival on site to determine the cause of the contamination, it was found there was no contamination on the patient's body. It was not a failure of the device. We [Varian] inspected the device. We attempted to remove the contamination from the applicator, but were unable to. Therefore, the manufacturer of the source took the applicator back to their facility and were able to remove the contamination there. Ultimately, there was no equipment failure per 10 CFR 30.50(b)(2) or (b)(3)."
Notified R1DO (Cahill), R2DO (Sykes), R4DO (Vasquez), and NMSS Events (by email).
* * * UPDATE FROM KATHY ARZATE TO OSSY FONT AT 1127 EDT ON 8/20/18 * * *
The following was received via email from Varian and is part of their retraction on 8/7/18:
"The Varian Radiation Safety Officer (VRSO), the Varian Field Service Engineer (VFSE), and the AOS Radiation Safety Officer (ARSO) arrived on the site on July 15, 2018 at 0830 EDT. They were met by the site Radiation Safety Officer and medical physicist.
"Utilizing a RADEYE B20-ER Geiger meter, an initial contamination wipe was performed on the afterloader turret. No results above background were found. The VFSE began the process of transferring the potentially contaminated wire from the afterloader to the transport safe. The VRSO then began decontamination steps to remove the particle from the applicator.
"The decontamination effort involved running a dummy cable completely through the applicator to the closed end. Once the cable reached the end of the applicator, the wire was moved back-and-forth in the location of the contamination while rotating the applicator. Once the site was agitated for an appropriate amount of time, the cable was slowly pulled from the applicator while holding a wipe on the wire. This action was performed for approximately 45 minutes without success.
"Once the old source wire was removed from the afterloader, the afterloader was scanned to determine if any contamination was present in the source wire tubing. No results above background were found. The new wire was installed into the afterloader. The plastic transfer catheter was wiped. No results above background were found. All gloves, wipes, and dummy cable were scanned for potential contamination prior to placement in the biohazard waste stream. No results above background were found.
"The ARSO took the contaminated applicator back to the AOS facility. Further efforts at that facility allowed the applicator to be cleaned and returned to the customer site.
"The results of all testing indicate that the afterloader was clear of possible radiological contamination. A new source wire was installed and the customer was able to resume treatments as scheduled. There was no indication that the contamination was from a leaking sealed source, but rather external contamination on the wire. There is no indication of patient contamination or equipment failure. Therefore, the NRC Event Report 53506 has been retracted."
Notified R1DO (Young) and R2DO (Sandal), R4DO (Taylor) and NMSS Events by email. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 53541 | Rep Org: TENNESSEE DIV OF RAD HEALTH
Licensee: BIONOMICS
Region: 1
City: OAK RIDGE State: TN
County:
License #: TN-R-73021-E25
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: ANDREW HOLCOMB
HQ OPS Officer: OSSY FONT | Notification Date: 08/09/2018
Notification Time: 16:25 [ET]
Event Date: 08/08/2018
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/14/2018 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) | | This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - UNCONTROLLED SOURCE FOUND
The following was received via email from the State of Tennessee
"Bionomics in Oak Ridge, Tennessee was contracted by a metal recycler in Arkansas to pick up some radioactive material that was rejected by a metals processor. Bionomics made the pickup on August 1st. Upon opening the shipment on August 8th they discovered an orphaned radium source. Current survey information indicates that a contact reading on the device is 22 mRem/hr. The information printed on the device is as follows:
"Manufacturer: MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY
Model: BILLION-AIRE ANALYZER
Model #: 706P
Serial #: 52328
Isotope: Ra-226 (150 microCi) (JULY 1966) [Calculated 147 microCi (August 2018)]
"A follow-up report will be submitted within 30 days."
* * * UPDATE FROM ANDREW HOLCOMB TO VINCE KLCO ON 8/14/18 AT 1211 EDT * * *
The following information was received from the State of Tennessee via email:
"Bionomics in Oak Ridge, TN was contracted by Tenenbaum Recycling Group (TRG) in Harrison, Arkansas, to pick up some radioactive scrap metals. Bionomics made the pick up on August 1st. Prior to leaving the site, the technician discovered a radium source within the pile of scrap metal scheduled for pick-up. On August 8th, Arkansas was notified by Bionomics and in turn notified the State of TN that a radium device had been picked up and was currently in Oak Ridge, TN at the Bionomics facility. Current survey information indicates that a contact reading on the device is 22 mRem/hr. The information printed on the device is as follows:
"Manufacturer: MINE SAFETY APPLIANCES COMPANY
Model: BILLION-AIRE ANALYZER
Model #: 706P
Serial #: 52328
Isotope: Ra-226 (150 microCi)
"A follow-up report will be submitted within 30 days."
Tennessee Event Report ID NO.: TN-18-140
Notified the R1DO (Young) and NMSS Events Notifications via 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 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 53542 | Rep Org: TEXAS DEPT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
Licensee: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
Region: 4
City: FREEPORT State: TX
County:
License #: LICEN-RAM-L00451
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: IRENE CASARES
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 08/09/2018
Notification Time: 16:38 [ET]
Event Date: 08/08/2018
Event Time: 00:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 08/09/2018 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL VASQUEZ (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LEVEL GAUGE STUCK SHUTTER
The following information was received via E-mail:
"On August 9, 2018, the Agency [Texas Department of State Health Services] received a notice from the radiation safety officer that a line level gauge was stuck in the open normal operating position. The gauge was found to be stuck during a blow-down operation yesterday afternoon. The gauge is a Ronan SA1-F37 with a Cesium-137 100 milliCurie source (serial number M5513). The gauge is to be serviced by the manufacturer's technician next week.
"The RSO was contacting the licensing section to request an amendment to the permit to operate the gauge in the stuck open position.
"The gauge is fixed at least 20 feet above ground level on a vessel and should not cause any effects to personnel. No exposures were reported upon discovery and the gauge does not present an exposure risk to any individual. The RSO will report the repair or disposal once the gauge is serviced/inspected. The investigation into this event is on-going. Updates to be provided in accordance with SA300."
Texas Incident #: I-9605 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 53543 | Rep Org: NC DIV OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: INTERNATIONAL PAPER
Region: 1
City: RIEGELWOOD State: NC
County:
License #: 024-0013-1
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: TRAVIS CARTOSKI
HQ OPS Officer: OSSY FONT | Notification Date: 08/10/2018
Notification Time: 14:29 [ET]
Event Date: 08/09/2018
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/10/2018 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
CHRISTOPHER CAHILL (R1DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - FAILED GAUGE SHUTTER
The following information was received via email from the State of North Carolina:
"NC RMB (North Carolina Radioactive Materials Branch) was notified by an authorized service provider, Systems Service Corporation (License Number: 090-1071-1), that they had repaired a failed shutter on a fixed nuclear gauge located at International Paper located in Riegelwood, NC on 8/9/18. The shutter detent spring was corroded and dissolved due to its corrosive environment. The service provider removed the gauge and rebuilt it on site with another source housing.
"No known overexposures occurred during this event and it is unknown at this time whether the shutter was in an open or closed position. However, this investigation is still ongoing at the time of this report.
"No other generic implications at this time. No other notifications made.
"Source & Device Information: TBD. This report will be updated once RMB completes its investigation."
North Carolina Report Number: 180034 |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 53544 | Rep Org: OR DEPT OF HEALTH RAD PROTECTION
Licensee: OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
Region: 4
City: PORTLAND State: OR
County:
License #: 90013
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: HILLARY HASKINS
HQ OPS Officer: OSSY FONT | Notification Date: 08/10/2018
Notification Time: 17:29 [ET]
Event Date: 08/09/2018
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/10/2018 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
RAY AZUA (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - MISADMINISTRATION OF Y-90 MICROSPHERES
The following is a summary from a report received via email from the State of Oregon:
On 08/09/18, the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) reported a misadministered of Y-90 treatment. The activity was 294 Gy, more than twice what was in the written directive (WD), 136 Gy. The prescribed range was 109-163 Gy.
The normal pre-procedure process, while still in Nuclear Medicine, includes a dose calibrator reading, which was done, and a decay calculation done based on the manufacturer's calibration data sheet. The two were within 10%. The decayed activity result (or calibrator reading) is supposed to be compared with the WD required activity before taking the dose up to Interventional Radiology (IR) for the preadministration measurements.
For this case, the RSO was responsible for the calculation and verification, and should have noticed the incorrect dose before taking it to IR, but the comparison with the WD dose was not done.
Another Y-90 dose had been delivered to Nuclear Medicine that morning to decay prior to a case the next week. This was the dose the Nuclear Medicine tech opened and measured, without checking the printed code on the shipping box, which includes the patient's initials.
Additionally, another check is done by the nurse manager for these cases, who goes down the day before to verify what was received. The packing slip showed a 5 GBq dose, which was correct and it was the right shipping box.
The interventional radiologist was informed as soon as the post-delivery calculations were confirmed. He spoke with the patient, and sent the patient to Nuclear Medicine to be imaged. The scan showed very good containment within the liver. The physician felt the patient actually should tolerate the dose, as he had considered administering a high ablation type of dose (>200 Gy), and because of where the dose was delivered.
Corrective actions included a procedure modification; specifically, a dose verification step will be added when the dose is up in IR during the preliminary set-up with the nurse manager. Other steps will be put in place after further discussion. The event is being entered into the hospital notification system, and likely will receive further review at that level.
The RSO will submit the full report within the required 20 days.
Oregon Item Number: OR180002
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. |
| Non-Agreement State | Event Number: 53545 | Rep Org: US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Licensee: US DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Region: 4
City: PORTLAND State: OR
County:
License #:
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: EDWIN LEIDHOLDT Jr.
HQ OPS Officer: DONALD NORWOOD | Notification Date: 08/10/2018
Notification Time: 19:36 [ET]
Event Date: 08/09/2018
Event Time: 00:00 [PDT]
Last Update Date: 08/10/2018 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
35.3045(a)(1) - DOSE <> PRESCRIBED DOSAGE
| Person (Organization):
RAY AZUA (R4DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) | Event Text MISADMINISTRATION OF Y-90 MICROSPHERES
"This event occurred on August 9, 2018, at the VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon.
"The patient was to receive a prescribed dose of 134 gray to a segment of the liver as a treatment for liver cancer, with Y-90 microspheres. After the procedure, the [actual] dose to the intended segment was estimated as approximately 103 gray, 77 percent of the prescribed dose.
"The patient has been notified. No harm to the patient is anticipated."
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. |
| Agreement State | Event Number: 53547 | Rep Org: OHIO BUREAU OF RADIATION PROTECTION
Licensee: GENERAL LICENSE
Region: 3
City: WARREN State: OH
County:
License #: GL
Agreement: Y
Docket:
NRC Notified By: STEPHEN JAMES
HQ OPS Officer: OSSY FONT | Notification Date: 08/11/2018
Notification Time: 17:34 [ET]
Event Date: 06/29/2018
Event Time: 00:00 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 08/11/2018 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
AGREEMENT STATE
| Person (Organization):
MICHAEL KUNOWSKI (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL) | | This material event contains a "Less than Cat 3" level of radioactive material. | Event Text AGREEMENT STATE REPORT - LOST TRITIUM EXIT SIGNS
The following information was received via email from the State of Ohio:
"A process was set up to remove all tritium exit signs (over 100) from [General Motors LLC -] Lordstown Complex, all with replacement dates of 8/1/2014. After reviewing records during an annual self-evaluation audit of self-luminous exit signs located at the Lordstown Complex, 2300 Hallock Young Road, Lordstown, Ohio 44481, it has been determined that up to 34 tritium exit signs are potentially missing. An investigation was launched to try to determine the location of these signs. The Lordstown Complex will continue to periodically search for these exit signs, and employees will be instructed to notify the Environmental Engineering department if any exit signs are discovered. There are no self-luminous tritium exit signs left in operation at the Lordstown Complex. Other than the 34 misplaced exit signs, all others have been transported off site to the recycling facility, Isolite Corporation."
Ohio NMED Report: OH180007
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
THIS MATERIAL EVENT CONTAINS A "NOT RECORDED" LEVEL OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
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 |
| Power Reactor | Event Number: 53552 | Facility: THREE MILE ISLAND
Region: 1 State: PA
Unit: [1] [] []
RX Type: [1] B&W-L-LP,[2] B&W-L-LP
NRC Notified By: ERIC MASCHUCK
HQ OPS Officer: ANDREW WAUGH | Notification Date: 08/17/2018
Notification Time: 08:17 [ET]
Event Date: 08/16/2018
Event Time: 15:19 [EDT]
Last Update Date: 01/08/2019 | Emergency Class: NON EMERGENCY
10 CFR Section:
26.719 - FITNESS FOR DUTY
| Person (Organization):
MATT YOUNG (R1DO)
FFD GROUP (EMAIL) | | Unit | SCRAM Code | RX Crit | Initial PWR | Initial RX Mode | Current PWR | Current RX Mode | | 1 | N | Y | 100 | Power Operation | 100 | Power Operation | Event Text FITNESS-FOR-DUTY TEST POSITIVE FOR NON-LICENSED EMPLOYEE
At 1519 EDT on August 16, 2018, Exelon determined a non-licensed employee had a confirmed positive for a controlled substance during a random Fitness-for-Duty test. The employee's unescorted access to the plant has been terminated.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified.
* * * UPDATE FROM MICHAEL FITZWATER TO DONALD NORWOOD AT 1310 EST ON 1/8/2019 * * *
The following is a correction to the reason for the Fitness-for-Duty test:
At 1519 EDT on August 16, 2018, Exelon determined a non-licensed employee had a confirmed positive for a controlled substance during a follow-up Fitness-for-Duty test. The employee's unescorted access to the plant has been terminated.
The NRC Resident Inspector has been notified of this correction.
Notified R1DO (Bower) and FFD E-mail group. | |