A radiation oncology center in St. Cloud, MN, has found that some of its patients received improper doses of radiation, resulting in discipline and firing of some employees.
An internal investigation at the CentraCare Health Coborn Cancer Center revealed the errors, which affected "a small group" of patients, according to an article from the St. Cloud Times. The center's CEO wouldn't give a specific number, but he said all patients have been contacted. He also withheld how many employees have been disciplined or fired, but said they include people with leadership roles in the radiation oncology department.
Most of the affected patients didn't get enough radiation, but at least one patient received doses that caused serious complications. A 79-year-old patient, Betty Zollner of Paynesville, experienced partial paralysis after radiation damaged a healthy section of spine several centimeters above her tumor, the Star Tribune reported.
State health department records show that at least three mistakes self-reported by Coborn Cancer Center in November are being investigated.
To ensure safety going forward, the center's processes and protocols were revamped in January to include simultaneous review from outside experts for all radiation oncology patients.
