Walter Reed Mishandled Nuclear Material, Possibly Exposing Staff and Patients to Elevated Radiation

Published December 23, 2015

The military's flagship hospital has acknowledged it mishandled two packages of radioactive material in May, possibly exposing staff and patients to elevated radiation levels.

Spokesman Chuck Dasey said in a statement Thursday that Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington doesn't dispute the allegations made by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The commission said the packages sat beneath a lobby counter for 44 hours after they were delivered, possibly exposing medical personnel and patients to radiation.

The packages, which were delivered to the hospital on May 1, were not picked up from the concierge desk by the recipient until two days later, the Washington Post reported.

Dasey said the hospital has since reinforced its nuclear medicine safety program and retrained staff on the proper handling of radioactive material.

The packages contained radioactive material used to treat and diagnose ailments such as cancer and heart disease.

NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan said no harm has been reported from the incident.

A representative for the hospital was not immediately available when contacted Saturday by FoxNews.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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