Radiation safety precautions in the management of the hospitalized (131)I therapy patient.
The patient who has been dosed with therapeutic activities of (131)I for thyroid carcinoma poses a unique set of problems for nuclear medicine technologists in their efforts to reduce personnel exposure and control contamination spread. It is the objective of this article to: (a) review practical radiation safety concerns associated with hospitalized (131)I therapy patients; (b) propose preventative measures that can be taken to minimize potential exposure and contamination problems; and (c) review pertinent federal regulations that apply to patients containing therapeutic levels of radionuclides.
Thompson
M A
MA
Division of Medical Imaging and Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 333 LRC, 1714 Ninth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294-1270, USA.
D004209:Disposable Equipment; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010356:Patient Isolation; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes