Bialystok radiotherapy accident, 2001 (original) (raw)

Database of radiological incidents and related events--Johnston's Archive

compiled by Wm. Robert Johnston
last modified 19 June 2004

**Date:**27 February 2001

**Location:**Bialystok Oncology Center, Poland

**Type of event:**radiotherapy accident

Description:

On 27 February 2001 an electrical failure caused shut down of a clinical linear accelerator while a patient was receiving radiotherapy. Treatment was resumed when power was restored, and four other patients were treated; however, restart checks did not reveal that the dose monitoring system was not functioning properly, with an electronic safety component damaged. As a result, the five patients received high doses, sufficient for two to report itching and burning during irradiation, prompting staff to cease use of the equipment. Three patients received localized doses of 6000 to 8000 rems. Poland requested IAEA assistance on 27 November 2001.

**Consequences:**5 injuries.

References:

• IAEA, February 2004, Accidental Overexposure of Radiotherapy Patients in Bialystok, IAEA (Vienna, Austria), on line at IAEA [http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1180_web.pdf].

© 2004 by Wm. Robert Johnston.
Last modified 19 June 2004.
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