title: Practical matters for the control of contamination in a nuclear medicine department.
abstract: A practicable and safe methodology is required for the control of contamination arising due to work in nuclear medicine departments, taking account of the range of radionuclides used for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A method for categorising radionuclides is proposed, based on their contamination derived limits. The categories utilised are: low energy gamma, imaging gamma, high energy gamma with beta, low energy beta, high energy beta and (51)Cr. A framework for the preparation of a risk assessment for the control of contamination in a nuclear medicine department is presented. This includes assessment of the procedures performed, occupancies and workflows for the department and a review of control measures. A risk assessment should also include a contamination monitoring programme and a practicable approach is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nuclear Medicine, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK. alice.nicol@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nicol
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCurrach
mesh_terms: D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009684:Nuclear Medicine Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000379:methods*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom