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.

Additional Information

For additional information, contact your

supervisor or Tufts EH&S at 617-636-3450.