More Patients Linked to Radiation Overdoses From Botched CT Scans
The number of stroke patients who were exposed to potentially dangerous overdoses of radiation during CT brain scans at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles is growing.
Hospital officials now say 260 patients were exposed over an 18-month period, which is more than the original estimate of 206 patients the hospital announced in September, according to a Los Angeles Times report.
Also, about one out of every five patients subjected to the elevated radiation levels during the diagnostic exams received direct exposure directly to the lenses of their eyes, which increases the risk of developing cataracts, officials said.
New Overexposure Cases Identified
Of the additional newly identified cases, 47 patients had died before hospital officials could contact them to warn them about the risk of radiation overdoses, according to the Times. Another seven patients surfaced as part of the hospital’s continuing investigation into the medical mishaps.
Cedars-Sinai has offered to pay for all medical costs associated with the accidental overdoses and is also offering affected patients appointments with a specialist to answer their questions and concerns.
Patient Complaint Exposes Radiation Overdoses
The overdoses of radiation are suspected of beginning in February 2008 after the hospital reconfigured a scanner. The mistake affected only patients undergoing CT brain perfusion scans, which are used to diagnose strokes, the Times reports. As a result of the mistake, patients were subjected to doses of radiation that were about eight times the proper amount.
The mistake was not noticed until August 2009, when a patient complained of losing hair following his CT scan at the hospital.
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