Radiation dosage error injures patients

Most Pittsburgh residents will undergo cancer treatment that includes radiation or will have family member go through the process. Cancer is a scary diagnosis and treatment is often specialized for each patient and their unique situation. Radiation is often used as part of the treatment plan but medication errors can cause serious issues for cancer patients.

A hospital in Minnesota is under scrutiny after several patients have reported errors with their radiation treatment. The hospital in St. Cloud has been reported as giving too much or too little radiation to cancer patients. One patient was being treated for a tumor of her spine. The radiation was not fired correctly and damaged healthy part of her spine. She now needs to use a walker as there is no way to reverse the damage. Other patients have been affected as well including one woman who did not receive enough of the treatment that was originally prescribed to her. The errors were come into question when employees of the radiation department contacted the Minnesota Health Department with their concerns.

A dosage mistake in radiation can have serious side effects for patients and may even cause their cancer to return. Families who have been affected by these errors are angry at the medical providers who made these mistakes and concerned that more harm will come to them. A legal professional skilled in medical malpractice can help patients who are facing these serious issues. They can investigate medical records and determine what happened to cause the unexpected outcomes. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Radiation errors and other medication errors can have serious health consequences. It is important to hold medical facilities and medical professionals accountable for their negligence so that they don’t harm anyone else.

Source: startribune.com, “Radiation errors at St. Cloud cancer center under investigation“, David Chanen and Jeremy Olson, July 4, 2015