Hospital error caused radiation overdoses.

In continuing coverage, the Los Angeles Times(10/13, Zarembo) reports, "Scores of radiation overdoses at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have been traced to a single cause: a mistake the hospital made resetting a CT scanner." According to hospital officials, "the error occurred in February 2008, when the hospital began using a new protocol for a specialized type of scan used to diagnose strokes." The machine was reset "to override the pre-programmed instructions that came with the scanner when it was installed," because they "believed it would provide them more useful data to analyze disruptions in the flow of blood to brain tissue."

As a result, "206 patients received eight times the normal dose of radiation -- an error that went undetected for 18 months," the AP (10/13) reports. A spokesman stated that "about 40 percent of the patients lost patches of hair."

At Begam & Marks, we have the experience and drive to uncover the cause of injuries and deaths in medical settings. In fact, we are currently processing a case similar to the one described above, in which our client was severely burned by medically administered radiation. If you or a loved one has been injured by medical negligence, please call for a free consultation.