Event Notification Report for October 25, 2023

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Operations Center

EVENT REPORTS FOR
10/24/2023 - 10/25/2023

EVENT NUMBERS
56801
Non-Agreement State
Event Number: 56801
Rep Org: Mercy Hospital South
Licensee: Mercy Hospital South
Region: 3
City: St. Louis   State: MO
County:
License #: 24-01041-04
Agreement: N
Docket:
NRC Notified By: Antoinette Mignerone
HQ OPS Officer: Ernest West
Notification Date: 10/17/2023
Notification Time: 15:46 [ET]
Event Date: 10/17/2023
Event Time: 11:00 [CDT]
Last Update Date: 10/17/2023
Emergency Class: Non Emergency
10 CFR Section:
20.1906(d)(1) - Surface Contam Levels > Limits
Person (Organization):
Orth, Steve (R3DO)
NMSS_EVENTS_NOTIFICATION (EMAIL)
Event Text
SURFACE CONTAMINATION ON OUTSIDE OF PACKAGE

The following is a synopsis of information provided by the licensee via phone and email:

On 10/17/23 around 1100 CDT, the licensee received two packages each containing technetium-99m. Swipe readings on the packages revealed gross counts of 19158 disintegrations per minute (DPM) for the first package and 6874 DPM for the second package. The licensee's radiation safety officer (RSO) and the supplier, Cardinal Health, were notified. The inside of the package was also wipe tested and was not contaminated. The nuclear medicine department was surveyed, including the hot lab and department hallway and no additional contamination was found. The licensee has placed the two cases in short term storage and intends to send them back to Cardinal Health when they are at background. The licensee also called and left a message with NRC Region 3 personnel.