Guidance on quality control of nuclear medicine in Yangtze River Delta region during regular epidemic prevention and control period of the novel coronavirus pneumonia

ABSTRACT

[Background] The outbreak of corona virus disease (COVID-19) with a high risk of infection occurred in Wuhan city in December 2019, and gradually spread to other places. Current researches have shown that this atypical pneumonia is caused by a novel beta-coronavirus (βCoV), named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The population is generally susceptible to SARS-CoV-2, with an incubation period of 1~14 days, and the transmission routes include droplet transmission, contact transmission, and aerosol transmission. Since the outbreak of pneumonia in China, hospitals throughout the county have concentrated on the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia. As a result, routine clinics in hospitals at various levels have been affected. With the control of the epidemic situation in China, medical practice has been gradually restored and our country has entered the stage of regular epidemic prevention and control (EPC). Management of department of nuclear medicine faces new challenges in current regular EPC stage. [Purpose] This study aims to comply with regular epidemic prevention and control of the novel coronavirus pneumonia and provide guidance for the doctors of nuclear medicine in Yangtze River Delta. [Methods] Experts from the Yangtze River Delta region's nuclear medicine quality control center jointly formulated the guiding opinions on quality control of nuclear medicine in Yangtze River Delta region during regular epidemic prevention and control period of the novel coronavirus pneumonia, including in vivo and in vitro detection and ward treatment related to nuclear medicine. [Results and Conclusions] Based on its diversity and particularity, the examinations related to nuclear medicine, higher requirements are put forward for nuclear medicine staff for prevention and control of the epidemic. Therefore, a guideline of quality control is needed to ensure the health and safety of the nuclear medicine staff, patients and their accompanying personnel. © 2020, Science Press. All right reserved.