Nuclear Regulatory Commission - News Release
No: III-23-021 August 18, 2023
NRC Proposes $8,750 Civil Penalty to VHS Harper-Hutzel Hospital
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has proposed an $8,750 fine to VHS Harper-Hutzel Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, for two violations of NRC safety requirements during the administrations of radioisotopes for treatment of liver tumors.
The hospital holds an NRC license for the use of nuclear material for diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine and for yttrium-90 (Y-90) microsphere administrations.
The first violation involved the failure to develop, implement, and maintain written procedures to provide high confidence that each administration of Y-90 microspheres was performed according to the prepared written directive. The NRC determined that while the violation involved inadequate procedures, there was no negative impact to patients who received the treatment.
The second violation involved the licensee’s failure to monitor the hospital staff’s exposure to radiation during administrations of Y-90 microspheres.
In addition, the NRC identified three violations of security requirements. Details of the security- related violations are considered sensitive and not released to the public.
The Harper-Hutzel Hospital documented corrective actions it has taken to prevent recurrence of the violations in a response letter.
The company has 30 days to either pay or contest in writing the proposed penalty.
