A Comparison of Readings from Thermoluminescent Dosimeter Ring Badges Worn in Different Positions.

Our purpose was to evaluate whether the position of a thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) crystal results in different exposure readings. Methods: Nine subjects wore 2 TLD badges (one facing inward, toward the palm, and one facing outward) for 2 mo. Both TLDs were worn on the middle finger of the dominant hand, with the inward-facing TLD placed at the bottom and the outward-facing TLD at the top. At the end of the first month, these TLDs were replaced with new ones for another month. Combined results from the badges for the 2 mo were recorded in millisieverts. A paired t test with 2-sample means was performed to compare the 2 positions in general nuclear medicine and PET/CT subjects, with an α of 0.05. Results: For all subjects and for the general nuclear medicine and PET/CT groups, mean exposure was greater for the inward-facing TLD. Conclusion: For a TLD worn on the dominant hand, extremity-exposure readings are maximized when the TLD faces inward.

The Effects on Technologist Occupational Exposure in PET/CT Departments When Working with Students at Various Levels of Supervision.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect that the presence of a student in the PET/CT department has on the technologist's occupational radiation exposure and whether this effect is influenced by the type of supervision performed. Methods: This was a retrospective, institutional review board-approved study that collected data from 2 PET/CT departments. Dosimetry reports, correlated with the clinical schedules of the students, were normalized for workflow (amount of radioactivity), the number of technologists, and the number of monitored days in the department. A 2-sample t test assuming unequal variance with an α of 0.05 was used to compare doses between with-student and without-student groups and between direct-supervision and indirect-supervision groups. Results: The study consisted of a dataset of 42 dosimetry reports, 19 with students and 23 without students. When comparing with-student and without-student groups, the total (n = 42) extremity dose had a P value of 0.012 with a mean of 0.0011665 µSv/MBq/technologist/d; all other dose comparisons between groups were greater than 0.05 (P > 0.05). For indirect supervision (n = 21), the extremity-dose P value was 0.298. The other dose P values were all less than 0.05. For direct supervision (n = 21), the dose P values were all greater than 0.05. There was a trend toward decreasing exposure of technologists when students were in the department. Conclusion: Extremity dose decreases when students are present. There is a trend toward decreasing dose with indirect supervision.

An Evaluation of Qualities of Nuclear Medicine Technology Programs and Graduates Leading to Employability.

Our rationale was to evaluate how the qualities of nuclear medicine technology (NMT) programs and graduates associate with employability. Methods: We identified all Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board applicants who passed the entry-level NMT examination between 2012 and 2017. Certificants were e-mailed a survey with questions on graduate qualities, program qualities, and initial employment. Each quality was quantified. Age, sex, and desired employment within or outside the United States were also documented. An employability scale was created from the initial employment questions. Subjects were separated into 4 employability groups based on their employability score: poorly employable, marginally employable, satisfactorily employable, and optimally employable. An ANOVA test was performed on each quality using the 4 employability groups; a P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 3,930 surveys distributed, 885 (22.5%) were completed and returned. Six of the 10 qualities evaluated were significantly associated with employability: overall education (P < 0.01), number of clinic hours (P < 0.01), grade-point average (P < 0.01), number of schools within a 100-mile (161-km) radius (P < 0.01), number of attempts to pass the board examination (P < 0.01), and number of clinics (P = 0.04). The qualities that were not statistically significant were age, sex, employment location sought, board score, single versus dual certification, program level of education, and number of graduates in the class. Conclusion: There are multiple graduate and program qualities that are predictive of the employability of NMT graduates.

Radiation Safety Certification: A Review.

It has become common for nuclear medicine technologists to assume the responsibilities, or even the role, of the radiation safety officer or associate radiation safety officer. Their responsibilities are primarily related to the radioactive materials license but increasingly can include additional safety responsibilities within the hospital. These include CT, MRI, and fluoroscopy safety. Many technologists reading this article may be interested in sitting for the radiation safety advanced certification examination by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. A consultation of the content outline for that examination (found on the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board website) is a good place to start. The content outline is quite extensive and cannot be covered within a single article.

Nuclear Medicine Technology Undergraduate Research Methods.

Introduction: The purpose of this article is to introduce nuclear medicine technology (NMT) educators to a method of incorporating research methodologies into the curriculum. Methods: The research methodology in the NMT program at Indiana University (IU) is taught in five steps (1. Introduction to research articles and statistics 2. Mock project and individual project design 3. Data collection 4. Writing the research paper 5. Presenting the abstract and mentoring new students). These steps could be combined for programs of shorter length or with credit hour restrictions. Results: All IU NMT students (100%) presented their research abstracts as part of a continuing education program for technologists. Seventeen of twenty-five (68%) presented their abstracts at a regional professional meeting. Six of twenty-five (24%) presented their research abstracts at a national professional meeting. Three of those six (50%) received travel grants. Two students submitted their research for publication and one was successful. Conclusion: The goal of incorporating a research methodology program into the nuclear medicine program should be to introduce undergraduates to the research process and instill excitement for new technologists to continue participation in research throughout their career.

The Necessity of Using Heparin in the UltraTag RBC Kit When Tagging Blood for a Nuclear Medicine Study.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the need to use heparin when preparing an UltraTag red blood cell (RBC) kit for a nuclear medicine study. METHODS: Nonheparinized blood samples (n = 15) and heparinized blood samples (n = 15) were added to UltraTag RBC kits. The samples were examined for macroscopic blood clotting and microscopic platelet clumping. As a control, samples with heparin (n = 15) and without heparin (n = 15) were used to help evaluate the effectiveness of the anticoagulant properties within the UltraTag RBC kit (sodium citrate) and whether those properties played a role in preventing clots or clumps. To detect clotting, the wooden applicator stick method was used. To detect clumping, blood smears were evaluated using a light microscope. The two samples were compared for presence of clots and clumps. Fisher exact testing was used to evaluate the significance of the data. RESULTS: For the UltraTag RBC group, 2 of the 15 nonheparinized samples clotted and none of the 15 heparinized samples clotted; for the control group, 2 of the 15 nonheparinized samples clotted and none of the 15 heparinized samples clotted. For the Ultra-Tag RBC group, 3 of the 15 nonheparinized samples clumped and 3 of the 15 heparinized samples clumped; for the control group, 15 of the 15 nonheparinized samples clumped and 10 of the 15 heparinized samples clumped. CONCLUSION: When heparin is not used, the Ultra-Tag RBC kit is more likely to form clots. Heparin should always be used when preparing an Ultra-Tag RBC kit for a nuclear medicine study.