In a report released earlier this week, NRC said the VA violated three federal regulations involving radiology use at its 13 prostate brachytherapy programs in various locations, including Brooklyn, N.Y., Philadelphia, Seattle and Los Angeles, according to the report.
Specifically, NRC cited the hospitals for failure to report improper radiation, failure to ensure procedures go as planned and failure to develop procedures to ensure proper care, according to the report.
The VA faces fines for these violations and could lose its ability to provide radiation services. The VA is scheduled to meet with the NRC on June 30 to respond.
The investigation came after NRC discovered more than 90 men who received incorrect doses of radiation for prostrate cancer treatment over a six-year period at the VA hospital in Philadelphia. The VA was fined $227,500 for the incidents, and the Philadelphia brachytherapy program was closed in June 2008.
Read the Philadelphia Inquirer‘s report on VA radiation violations.
