Over 16,524,191 people are on fubar.
What are you waiting for?
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Some CoxHealth cancer patients received overdoses of radiation six years ago, and possibly in some other time periods. The healthcare company has been informing patients and their families in recent days and plans to talk to reporters about the problem this week.
The wife of a CoxHealth patient says she and her husband were called to the Hulston Cancer Center Oncology Department. They were informed that, six years ago while he was battling brain cancer, her husband received a dose of radiation that was 40 percent higher than what was prescribed.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous to protect her family's privacy, says they were told that a little more than 150 patients who received radiation in 2004 were impacted. The woman says she and her husband were not told what type of short- or long-term health effects the overdose could cause. She says her husband has shown no obvious side effects. In fact, he has been healthy since his treatment.
The woman, however, feels others should know what happened. She gave KY3 News a memo from CoxHealth that says, in part, "We appreciate your taking the time to meet with us on this very serious matter. CoxHealth will pay for all additional follow-up care, testing and treatment recommended by your radiation oncologist as a result of any excess radiation you received. We at CoxHealth are deeply sorry for this error."
CoxHealth confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that there was an issue with the calibration of the BrainLAB equipment used for one very specific type of radiation therapy for brain tumors and other difficult-to-treat conditions. CoxHealth didn't say if the issue only affected patients in 2004.
CoxHealth's statement also said, "We are very sorry for this situation, and we are in the process of contacting the affected patients and families to personally discuss their cases. We are committed to communicating with our patients as a priority. It is our intention to communicate more extensively with the community very soon."
That communication with the community could come as early as Wednesday afternoon, when CoxHealth plans to hold a news conference.
I personally have to ask...when did they discover this glitch ? back in 2004 ?
