In addition to slapping the Dubois Regional Medical Center with a $183,000 fine, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has forced the facility to change its procedure for treating cancer patients.

A patient was given radiation in the wrong area of the body during 18 separate treatments, according to information released by the DEP. DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty says such mistakes will not be tolerated.

The patient was treated in 2004 at Hahne Regional Cancer Center, which is run by the Dubois Regional Medical Center. The center has agreed to purchase equipment that will help prevent such mistakes in the future and to have additional technicians present during such procedures. DEP officials say they will continue to work with the medical center to ensure that the changes are implemented and treatment for patients is delivered in a safe manner.