Resource Center

Stories

The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast.

These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need.

Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:



Search results for "National Cancer Institute in Panama City" ...

  • We Did Nothng Wrong: Why Software Quality Matters

    "Software programs are killing people." At the National Cancer Institute in Panama City, five cancer patients died after an overdose of radiation during their treatments. The U.S.-made software that calculated the dosages of these treatments doubled the dosages during treatment of 27 patients. The International Atomic Energy Agency's investigation of the five deaths blamed radiation poisoning, and said that the remaining patients would be at risk for developing "serious complications" from the radiation. Two of the Panamanian technicians were convicted of second-degree murder and are serving four-year sentences in a Panama prison. And the makers of the software, Multidata Systems International in St. Louis, Missouri, deny any wrongdoing.

    Tags: Multidata Systems International; software quality; National Cancer Institute in Panama City; radiation therapy; radiation poisoning; software error-prevention system

    By Deborah Gage;John McCormick;Tom Steinert-Threlkeld;Berta Ramona Thayer

    Baseline (New York)

    2004