Radiotherapy Mistakes: Trusting Too Much In Computer Technology?

This is ridiculous. A relatively simple dosimeter array should have been put in place of the patient to verify that the correct dose arrived at the correct position BEFORE irradiating the actual patient. Dosimeter arrays don't file wrongful death lawsuits.

Shame on you for trivializing the complexity of all personnel safety systems. Particularly this complex operation of medical radiation therapy. It's quite likely that the attitude you profess that this dangerous procedure can be made foolproof safe was the root of this tragedy. The article points out that several hardware, software and administrative safeguards were ignored or simply failed for this man to have died. Had people not assumed that something could never go wrong, detection of an unsafe condition might have stopped this tragedy.

I was the recipient of radiotherapy for an acoustic neuroma at Johns Hopkins back in 2001. It was a Varian machine and it went very well. I had confidence in the doctor, system and operators as the set-up took about 45 minutes for each of the five treatments, and the actual treatment only takes about a minute or so. The same linac machine (on a low dose) takes diagnostic images to ensure proper patient positioning and the system records actuals dosages during operations. I am happy with the outcome as I have been able to avoid invasive cranial microsurgery for the tumor. The late Dr. Jeffery Williams was my doctor and one of the pioneers of FSR. I am grateful for his dedication and excellent work.