LA hospital says radiation overdose errors could cause cataracts
By APMonday, November 9, 2009
LA hospital: X-ray overdoses could cause cataracts
LOS ANGELES — A Los Angeles hospital where patients were exposed to X-ray radiation overdoses during CT scans says its investigation found the affected patients could be at higher risk for cataracts.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center said in a statement Monday that about 20 percent of the 260 patients affected — up from its initial finding of 206 patients — had radiation exposure to the lens of their eyes.
The hospital sent letters to those affected offering to pay for the treatment of any health problem caused by the overdose and informing them that the exposure could put them at risk of developing cataracts sooner.
Hospital officials say the incident, caused by an incorrect reset of the CT scanning machine, was “completely unacceptable to all of us.”
Tags: cataracts, Diagnosis And Treatment, Diagnostic Tests, Diseases And Conditions, eye health, Los Angeles, North America, United States
