According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, two California hospitals are currently being investigated for over exposing its patents to excessive levels of radiation during CT scans, ultimately putting its patients at risk for dangerous brain injuries. Officials at the hospitals reported that CT scanners, manufactured by Toshiba and used by both hospitals, were programmed according to Toshiba's specifications.
Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center and Bakersfield Memorial Hospital are the latest cases of a list of California hospitals where radiation overdoses occurred during CT brain perfusion scans. In these two cases, both hospitals contacted Toshiba to clearly understand the protocols for safely using their units and used the instructions and specifications provided by the manufacturer. According to reports, nearly 16 patients at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital received excessive radiation "although the dosage guidelines provided by Toshiba were strictly followed."
Toshiba declined to comment on these incidents due to the current investigation underway by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Despite any possible flaws in Toshiba's medical devices, both hospitals will not be free of responsibility. Los Angeles County health officials who investigated the overdose cases at County-USC concluded that hospital employees were not paying attention to dose levels during scans. According to reports, "dose information is included on computer monitors, but the technologists had not been trained to observe or track the reference doses indicated."
Any additional information released on these cases will be included in later blog posts.
Source: Los Angeles Times "Two more hospitals report CT scan radiation overdoses" 08/03/2010
