Section II: Radiation
Safety Guidelines for the
Human Use of
Radionuclides.
1: Radiation Safety
Program
Responsibilities
Authorization
Nursing Procedures
Use of Radiation
Sources
2: Procedures and Nursing Instructions
General Procedures
Brachythrapy
Radiopharmaceutical
Therapy
Appendix A
Emergency Procedures
Radiation Safety Call
List
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Biological
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Chemical
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EHOS |
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Fire
Safety |
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Radiation
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USE OF RADIATION SOURCES
INTRODUCTION
The authorized user is responsible to see that the use of radiation sources under his/her supervision complies with all governmental regulations, the specific conditions and limitations of his authorization, and the procedures and practices described herein. He/she must ensure that all persons who use radiation sources under his/her authorization are supervised, properly trained and experienced, and aware of the attendant radiation hazard.
Emergency procedures: Emergency procedures are included in the Appendix. Emergency procedures should be posted in all areas where radioactive materials are used except in the case of patient rooms, in which case the nurses will receive written and oral instructions.
LOCATION OF USE
Therapeutic radionuclides may be used only in areas that have been approved by the Radiation Safety Officer. These include storage areas, source and applicator preparation areas and patient rooms. The RSO will monitor and post warning signs as necessary.
Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals for authorized use may be ordered from the local Radiopharmacy by telephone request. Upon receipt, packages must be tested for radiation levels and removable contamination.
TRANSFER OF RADIONUCLIDES
All transfers of therapeutic radioactive material from the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center to one of the associated hospitals must be by a therapy physicist, the RSO, an authorized therapy physician, or an appointed representative of these individuals. The Radiation Safety Office must be notified before each transfer, must approve the transfer, and will usually send someone to accompany the physician. Sources transported along public roads must be packaged in DOT approved containers which are properly labeled. Additional rules for specific sources are given in Chapter Two.
SURVEYS AND INVENTORY
Therapeutic radionuclides in quantities greater than 30 millicuries shall be used only when the MCG Radiation Safety Office has been notified in advance. Certain information, such as the patient’s name, hospital, room number, type of procedure and anticipated date and time, should be given to the RSO as far as possible in advance, but at least 24 hours before the procedure. The RSO will monitor external radiation levels during the therapeutic procedures and post necessary signs on the patient’s door, bed and chart. Radiation levels in adjacent rooms and hallways must be such that no individual (other than the patient and radiation workers wearing monitoring badges) could receive a dose in excess of 2 mrems in any one hour or will receive a dose in excess of 100 mrems in a year. The RSO or his/her designee will perform final surveys of patient rooms as necessary to ensure that the external radiation and removable contamination levels are acceptable before releasing the room to another patient.
Sealed sources used for temporary implants shall be logged in and out in the inventory book kept in the cesium storage room at the Georgia Radiation Therapy Center. They must be carefully counted when they are brought back to ensure that all sources taken out have been returned. An inventory of all sealed sources and a survey of the ambient radiation dose in and around the storage area must be conducted every 3 months. Every six months the sources must be leak tested. Quarterly inventory and semiannual leak tests will be performed by the Radiation Safety Office.
PERSONNEL MONITORING
Nurses and other persons at participating hospitals who are involved with five (5) or more therapeutic radionuclide treatments per quarter are required to wear a radiation monitoring badge. This monitoring device is to be furnished by the hospital where the individual is employed. Any exposures over 100 millirems in a monitoring period should be reported to the RSO. Individuals who prepare sealed sources for temporary implants should also wear a ring badge. Individuals who administer more than 10 millicuries of I131 must have a bioassay performed after each such administration.
WASTE DISPOSAL
The Radiation Safety Office is responsible for disposing of all radiation sources and contaminated articles. Radioactive waste must be placed in properly labeled containers provided by Radiation Safety, and never mixed with non-radioactive waste.