When Radiation Kills

WHEN RADIATION THERAPY KILLS

CASE STUDY

1. What concepts in the chapter are illustrated in the case? What ethical issues are raised by radiation technology?

a) The evidence provided in this case clearly illustrates that people such as doctors, technicians, and manufactures are making decisions every day affecting the lives of others, and leaving incalculably indeterminate ripples of impact, either for good or ill, upon the entire fabric of society; just as, for that matter, it fails to comfort me that these highly complex machines used to treat cancer patients have failed to do so in so many cases.

b) Its considered unethical that faulty equipment, unqualified or careless technicians, doctors, and hospitals were not reporting accidents that occurred. Disproportionate amounts of radiation were given to patients whose conditions worsened to the extent of death in some cases.

2. What management, organization, and technology factors were responsible for the problems detailed in this case? Explain the role of each

a) There wasn’t sufficient supervision on behalf of management who oversees the radiology department. The necessary training was not conducted. Management failed to assure that the hospital staffs assigned to preform radiation treatment were not overworked.

b) Organizations were responsible for reporting all accidents that involved radiology treatments. In some cases they failed to follow up on the radiation that was administered properly to their patients. Safety procedures were not implemented properly.

c) Software companies should be held responsible for selling defected software.

3. Do you feel that any of the groups involved with this issue (hospital administrators, technicians, medical equipment and software manufactures) should accept the majority of the blame for these incidents? Why? Why not?

a) Without a doubt in my mind do I feel that the...