Tell HN: I am sitting in radonc while Microsoft tortures a cancer patient

Today I am testing the simulation CT. I am an imaging physicist; I don't go to the radiation oncology department much.

Next door there is a patient in a LINAC vault awaiting radiation treatment. Radiation therapy is delivered usually every weekday for several weeks in "fractions", so patients are already experiencing the side effects of treatment while awaiting today's fraction. The pt is laying on a hard flat carbon fiber treatment "couch" which — they make us try this in grad school — is slightly more comfortable than the average tarmac.

The machine won't start because of Windows Update. There are two therapists and a therapy physicist on the phone with IT because their $2MM electron accelerator won't run because of Windows Update.

So if you ever think you screwed up at your job, just know you'll probably never write something quite as awful as Windows Update.

5 points | by scythe 10 hours ago

2 comments

  • rcfox 10 hours ago
    As far as radiation treatment software bugs go, it could be far worse... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therac-25
  • duxup 10 hours ago
    That sounds like more of an IT / operations or CT machine issue than Microsoft.
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    • apothegm 3 hours ago
      It’s also an operational issue. If the machine won’t be able to work for two hours while the update completes (or 20 minutes while IT straightens things out), why not let the patient sit or lie somewhere less uncomfortable for a little bit?
    • java-man 10 hours ago
      I disagree - this is a design flaw in the machine. Embedded software is not supposed to lock up in flight, it should display an alert (e.g. "check engine" light) and allow for the maintenance to be done at a convenient time.

      The manufacturer decided to put Windows there, with no regard for its idiotic upgrade manners. This is the manufacturer's fault, in my opinion.

      [-]
      • duxup 10 hours ago
        I think we actually agree.