ABSTRACT
U.S. NRC Regulatory Guide 8.39 provides for the release of patients treated with 131I provided that predetermined calculations indicate that no member of the public will receive a total dose equivalent in excess of 5 mSv (500 mrem). When this condition cannot be met or there are other reasons for keeping the patient hospitalized after treatment, control of contamination and exposure from the patient must be taken into consideration. If the patients are hospitalized following treatment, decontaminating the patient's room after discharge and controlling the exposure potential from the patient are considerations for the hospital radiation safety staff. This paper reviews the experiences from fifty patients treated as inpatients over the past two years.
Subject(s)
Iodine Radioisotopes/standards , Iodine Radioisotopes/therapeutic use , Radiation Monitoring/standards , Thyroid Neoplasms/radiotherapy , Body Burden , Decontamination/methods , Decontamination/standards , Humans , Inpatients , Iodine Radioisotopes/urine , Occupational Exposure/prevention & control , Occupational Exposure/standards , Radiation Dosage , Radiation Monitoring/methodsABSTRACT
The use of a well constructed form can serve as an official notification of the violation of good radiation safety practice while providing a paper trail for documentation of corrective action.
Subject(s)
Health Physics , Humans , Risk Management/methods , SafetyABSTRACT
A portal monitor was installed to detect radioactivity in trash and laundry leaving the hospital facility. Experiences with selection, installation, calibration and detection capabilities are reviewed. Also reviewed are the topics used in training hospital employees on proper use of the monitor and response detected activity in trash or laundry.
Subject(s)
Medical Waste Disposal , Radiation Monitoring/instrumentation , Radioactive Waste , Health Physics , Humans , Laundry Service, Hospital , Nuclear Medicine , Radiation Monitoring/statistics & numerical data , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
Topical application of tincture of iodine (I) was found to be effective in blocking the thyroid uptake of orally administered 131I in humans. Abdominal skin application of tincture of I resulted in an approximately 82% reduction in the uptake of 131I by the thyroid gland. The effectiveness varied among individuals and may have depended on the quantity applied and on the application site. In each study group, elevated levels of serum I were observed.
