Cedars-Sinai over-radiated patients

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Dozens of Cedars-Sinai patients who were exposed to radiation overdoses could now face a higher risk of cataracts.

According to the hospital, the number of people given the overdoses has now been raised from 206 to 260. An incorrect setting on a CT scan machine was responsible.

Cedars says around twenty percent of the patients had direct exposure to their eyes, increasing the risk of cataracts. Cedars will pay for any medical care related to the overdoses.

The most common treatment for cataracts is an outpatient procedure in which the cataract is removed and replaced with a permanent artificial lens. Cedars officials said they would continue to provide information to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration about the scanning equipment to help prevent this type of situation from occurring at other hospitals.

"Patient safety is our highest priority, and an optimally safe environment requires a combination of appropriate hospital processes as well as equipment design and technology that supports those efforts," said Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

CNS contributed to this report.

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