ABSTRACT
Non-hazardous waste management facilities, which are not authorized to receive licensable radioactive material (RAM), periodically find contaminated waste in shipments from local healthcare facilities. As a consequence, many healthcare facilities are cited each year for losing control and/or improperly disposing of RAM at unauthorized disposal sites. Healthcare radiation safety professionals must ensure that effective measures are in place at their facilities to prevent RAM from inadvertently being included with non-radioactive waste shipments. The objective of this article is to assist in developing and implementing procedures to properly monitor and dispose of waste containing RAM. This article discusses, among other topics, the installation of portal monitors containing both visual and audible alarms to screen medical waste, instruction to individuals handling medical waste and emergency response procedures.
Subject(s)
Health Facilities/standards , Radiation Protection/methods , Radiation Protection/standards , Radioactive Waste/prevention & control , Safety Management/methods , Safety Management/organization & administration , Waste Management/methods , Waste Management/standards , Risk Management/methods , Risk Management/organization & administration , Risk Management/standards , Safety Management/standards , United StatesABSTRACT
Non-hazardous waste management facilities, which are not authorized to receive licensable radioactive material (RAM), periodically find contaminated waste in shipments from local healthcare facilities. As a consequence, many healthcare facilities are cited each year for losing control and/or improperly disposing of RAM at unauthorized disposal sites. Healthcare radiation safety professionals must ensure that effective measures are in place at their facilities to prevent RAM from inadvertently being included with non-radioactive waste shipments. The objective of this article is to assist in developing and implementing procedures to properly monitor and dispose of waste containing RAM. This article discusses, among other topics, the installation of portal monitors containing both visual and audible alarms to screen medical waste, instruction to individuals handling medical waste and emergency response procedures.
ABSTRACT
"Affiliation" may be defined as a collaborative interaction between two (or more) organizations in a spirit of mutual benefit through an equitable contribution of resources. Across the United States, hundreds of medical schools and healthcare organizations affiliate with one another for the enhancement of patient care, education, and research. Oftentimes, both parties in the affiliation have active clinical and research programs that involve the use of radioactive material (RAM). The combination of this close affiliation and use of radioactive material presents a number of challenging radiation safety compliance issues. It is important for radiation safety professionals (RSPs) employed by each affiliate to work together to ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Subject(s)
Hospitals, University/organization & administration , Hospitals, Veterans/organization & administration , Materials Management, Hospital/organization & administration , Radiation Protection/methods , Radiation Protection/standards , Safety Management/methods , Safety Management/organization & administration , Cooperative Behavior , Hospitals, University/standards , Hospitals, Veterans/standards , Materials Management, Hospital/methods , Materials Management, Hospital/standards , Occupational Health , Organizational Affiliation/organization & administration , Radioisotopes/standards , Radiology Department, Hospital/standards , Transportation/legislation & jurisprudence , Transportation/standards , United States , United States Department of Veterans AffairsABSTRACT
Many institutions conduct human research studies that involve the administration of radiopharmaceuticals. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) may be the person responsible for ensuring that such studies are performed safely and in compliance with applicable regulations. Sometimes, RSOs assigned this responsibility lack the knowledge and experience necessary to oversee such research activities. In an effort to assist RSOs unfamiliar with radioactive drug research regulations to establish an effective compliance program in this field, the authors developed a comprehensive audit checklist. Periodic use of this checklist may be effective in ensuring compliance with applicable regulations.
Subject(s)
Radiopharmaceuticals , Drug and Narcotic Control , Medical Audit , Research , SafetyABSTRACT
In order to comply with the requirements established by healthcare organization accrediting agencies, radiation protective equipment (e.g., lead aprons, gloves, and collars) utilized by x-ray workers must be periodically evaluated for damage. The objective of such evaluations is to identify and remove from service equipment bearing large holes, tears, etc., that could compromise the safety of individuals using this equipment. Many facilities are cited each year for failing to ensure the availability and integrity of such equipment. Unfortunately, written guidance on the proper implementation of inspection programs is not readily available. This paper was developed to assist healthcare organization safety personnel in establishing a radiation protective equipment inspection program at their facilities.
