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Physicians Choosing To Not Report First Accidents Involving Therac 25…
Physicians Choosing To Not Report First Accidents Involving Therac 25
Relevant Facts
Doctor chose not to report because they didn't believe an accident occured
In that time, the people and programmers had confidence in the software to not fail no matter what.
The programmer believed there was no way the program injured people
Radiation burns do not show up immediately which causes a delay whether or not a case of radiation burn can be detected
The Therac 25 incidents were the first to take human lives
The program was created by one person, rather than a team of multiple programmers
The program exhibited elementary program errors which suggests the program had no formal training
Stakeholders
Patients
Doctors
Operators
quality assurance officer
lone programmer
Don't Report the accident
Pros
No publicity
Less likely for lawsuits
Doctors aren't blamed for malpractice
The programmer is not blamed for a faulty program
Cons
More patients could be harmed
Future programmers don't learn from their ways
Credibility of the programmers and doctors could raise future lawsuits
Doctors potentially could continue to allow future injuries and fatalities
Who is harmed?
The patients
The doctors by not helping patients
The programmer by being challenged morally by not providing changes to the program
Investors in the program
Who Benefits
Programmer isn't blamed for error in software coding
The medical staff. If the accident isn't reported, then it won't be public and therefore less likely for a lawsuit
The quality assurance officer is not blamed for not ensuring safety
Rights abridged?
The patients basic rights of protection by completing legal documents and protection of insurance, can provide rightful solutions. The doctors and programmers not reporting the accidents will cause future patients to suffer potential injury and possibly death.
What if everyone had chosen not to report the accidents?
More patients are injured
Therac 25 case wouldn't have gotten as much publicity as it did
Report the accident
Pros
Potentially raise awareness to fix programs
encourage multiple programmers create a program rather than only one
Potentially prevent radiation related injuries
Hold the operators accountable for their alleged negligence
Cons
Doctors and operators are potentially sued from harmful actions
The operators could lose their credibility and their job
Lower confidence to tweak key fixes to the faulty program
Who is harmed?
Company who created Therac 25
Programmer behind software. They would be blamed for the accident.
Doctors who use the program can be deemed untrustworthy
the staff that created the program can be criminally charged and sued heavily
Who benefits?
Patients can be compensated and given proper care
The programmer can update and upgrade his system for effectiveness
Future Programmers can reflect upon mistakes to create better programs
Rights Abridged?
What if Everyone went with this?
Reporting the accidents could have potentially saved lives by providing necessary fixes to ensure that fatalities could be prevented.
Future Changes
requiring more than 4 programmers that can operate the program to receive different input
Requiring official training to ensure that the programmers are qualified to create and implementing health programs
The doctors and patients sign documents to explain who is responsible in case of an accident occuring