Status of patients from the JCO Criticality Accident

["Tosh Ushino" <tushino@icnpharm.com>]

RADSAFERS,

I *think* someone on RADSAFE asked for updated information on the two patients
from the JCO criticality accident who were transferred to the University of
Tokyo hospital (or am I thinking or another discussion group? A mind is a
terrible thing to loose....)  I am sorry I still haven't found any information
on how dose to the patients was calculated.

Today, the Japan's Science and Technology Agency finally updated the status of
those two patients at U. of Tokyo hospital.  Unfortunately it is unclear from
their web page if the status is for one or both patients, or which one. I am
going to assume that there is one page for each patient.  Also, this is a
translation my wife and I did over a dining table using a dictionary. Neither of
us have medical background so we may have used inappropriate terms.

The status dated October 12 at 19:30 is as follows:

Patient A:
Pain in lips and oral cavity has increased substantially, but overall condition
is as good as before.
No indication of infection.
Clear, conscious.
Blood pressure: 122/67
Pulse rate: 67/min. (no abnormality)
Temperature:  36.5 C
Blood oxygen level: 99%
White blood cell count: 30/mm^3
Hemoglobin conc.:   9.5 g/dl
Platelet count: 29,000/mm^3

Patient B:
Providing sedative.
Blood pressure: 147/72 mm Hg
Pulse rate: 108/min.
Respiration rate: 16/min.
Temperature: 36.9 C
Continuing with ventilator. Since the previous day, providing hormone to assist
in tissue regeneration to repair lung impediment, chest X-ray reveal slight
improvement and there is improved oxygen intake through lungs.
Continued transfusion of red blood cells and platelets is required.
There is concern for complications due to infection, but thus far there is no
sign of infection.
No bowel movement or bleeding.
Future direction of treatment: Continue with ventilation, prevent infection,
nutritional management, and transfusion.
Others: Fever and inflammation maybe masked by tissue regeneration hormone.
Vigilance must be maintained.

The condition of the 54-year old patient remaining in Tokaimura:
Temperature: 36.1 C
Blood pressure: 115/90
White blood cell and lymphatic cell count remain stable.


I asked my doctor friend what he makes of this.  He is concerned that the
Patient A's hemoglobin conc. is low and the platelet count is very low. Patient
B apparently had capillary damage in the lungs. The fact that he had no bowel
movement or bleeding is a good sign. Temperature for both A and B are both on
the low side.

Tosh Ushino
ICN Dosimetry
tushino@icnpharm.com


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