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Radiation Safety Reminders During Nuc. Med. Procedures
ALARA Practices
By Aggie Barlow, CHP, MBA, MS
ALARA
Attention to small details is necessary to keep
doses to you and others
As Low As Reasonably Achievable,
or ALARA.
Each and every time you handle unsealed
radioisotope, you must think about and plan
your actions.
Ordering Studies
Nuclear Medicine studies may only be
performed when ordered by a Tufts
Veterinarian or Resident.
Studies requested by outside Vets, must
be approved by a Tufts Vet or Resident.
Radioisotope Handling Suggestions
Assay doses immediately before use. This
allows the dosage to be at its lowest activity
when handled.
Use forceps or tongs to move doses to/from
the dose calibrator and the transport container.
Labeling
Ensure that there is a label on any radioactive
material syringe or container that is taken from
the Nuclear Medicine Hot Lab. The label
information should include isotope, activity
and date.
Transport Containers
Ensure that transport containers are securely
closed for transport to the animal stall
or administration area.
Carry the transport container away from
your body. Go directly to the administration
area – do not make any unnecessary stops.
Things to do before you administer doses of radioisotopes
To keep your exposure low, BEFORE you remove a dose from the transport container, do every task you can -
Put on a lab coat and double gloves,Verify patient identity,Discuss plans with others in area, Flush IV line to verify it is patent.
Dose Storage in Animal Stalls and Areas
Use care when determining where to place the
dose/transport container. Ensure it can not
fall, or be knocked off a stall ledge or other
resting place. Ensure it can not be damaged
or crushed by a moving animal. Keep the
dose in the transport container until needed.
Handle syringe shields to minimize your extremity exposure dose
The volume viewing area has the least
shielding. Do not place your hand on
top of this area. Grasp the shield from
underneath to keep your hand exposure low.
Syringe Shield Handling continued
The ends of the syringe shield are other areas
of higher dose rate. Do not point either end of
the syringe shield at yourself or others.
Animal Handler Position
Only persons needed for the study should be in
the stall/room. Plan each person’s position to
keep everyone’s exposure low. Ex. When
feasible, animal handlers should stand near
the head of a horse, rather than along side
of the injected animal.
Needle Sticks
Administering radioisotopes to moving animalspresents a needle stick injury risk. Ensure thepatient is calm and as still as feasible beforeattempting to put the needle into the IV line port.
Use “one hand” technique if feasible. That is,keep your other hand away from the needle.
Consider the use of canulas instead of needles.Consider the use of “safe sharp” needles if possible.
Put used needles into the transport carrier ASAP.
Post Administration
IV lines decrease the likelihood of
extravasation of the dose. Flush the IV line
with saline to minimize residual radioisotope
in the IV line.
Work in a way to minimize contamination
Give the animal time to calm down if needed prior
to attempting to administer radioisotope.
Place used syringe and other items into
transport or other container immediately after use.
Perform post injection surveys to detect contamination
immediately and prevent tracking radioactive material
through the area. Survey your gloves, lab coat, shoes.
Optional Good Practices
If empty stalls are available, keep adjacent
stalls empty so others do not have to work
close to an injected animal, especially for the
first day post radioisotope administration.
When feasible, use of a stall away from high
traffic areas reduces staff exposures.
Spills or splashes
Restrict the area,
Post signs if needed,
Clean the spill, getting assistance if needed,
Survey to verify dose rate is at release limits,
Report the spill to your supervisor and to Radiation Safety/EH&S
Washing Animal Urine Down Drain
When hosing down stalls or other areas where
an injected animal may have urinated, be sure
to use a rate of water flow and angle of use
such that splashes are not generated. Sprays
of water used to clean floors could result in
splashes of contaminated urine onto workers
if extra care is not taken. Use a low water flow
rate. Be sure to wear a lab coat and gloves.
Physical Safety
The Nuclear Medicine and other staff’s main
concern with large animals must be their
own physical safety. The likely radiation
risk to staff from performing NM exams on
large animals is low compared to injury from
a large animal.
Transfers of Radioisotope
Nuclear Medicine is NOT authorized
to share or transfer radioisotope to other
facilities or other off site veterinarians. The
Radioisotope ordered is only to be used on
animal patients at Tufts School of Veterinary
Medicine in Grafton.
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