Solution to Decrease Spatial Dose Rate in Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine through System Improvement

Moon, Jae-Seung; Shin, Min-Yong; Ahn, Seong-Cheol; Yoo, Mun-Gon; Kim, Su-Geun

doi:2014.20.1.60

Qual Improv Health Care > Volume 20(1); 2014 > Article

Quality Improvement in Health Care 2014;20(1): 60.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14371/QIH.2014.20.1.60 Published online July 30, 2014.

시스템 개선을 통한 핵의학 검사실의 공간 선량률 감소방안

문재승, 신민용, 안성철, 유문곤, 김수근

가톨릭대학교 성빈센트병원 핵의학과

Solution to Decrease Spatial Dose Rate in Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine through System Improvement

Jae-Seung Moon, Min-Yong Shin, Seong-Cheol Ahn, Mun-Gon Yoo, Su-Geun Kim

Department of Nuclear Medicine, St Vincent’s Hospital, Catholic University

Abstract

Objectives
This study aims at decreasing spatial dose rate through work improvement whilst spatial dose rate is the cause of increasing personal exposure dose which occurs in the process of handling radioisotope.
Methods
From February 2013 until July 2013, divided into "before" and "after" the improvement, spatial dose rate in laboratory of nuclear medicine was measured in gamma image room, PET/CT-1 image room, and PET/CT-2 image room as its locations. The measurement time was 08:00, 12:00 and 17:00, and SPSS 21.0 USA was opted for its statistical analysis.
Result
The spatial dose rate at distribution worktable, injection table, the entrance to the distribution room, and radioisotope storage box, which had showed high spatial dose rate, decreased by more than 43.7% a monthly average. The distribution worktable, that had showed the highest spatial dose rate in PET/CT-1 image room, dropped the rate to 42.3% as of July. The injection table and distribution worktable in the PET/CT-2 image room also showed the decline of spatial dose rate to 89% and 64.4%, respectively.
Conclusion
By improving distribution process and introducing proper radiation shielding material, we were able to drop the spatial dose rate substantially at distribution worktable, injection table, and nuclide storage box. However, taking into account of steadily increasing amount of radioisotope used, strengthening radiation related regulations, and safe utilization of radioisotope, the process of system improvement needs to be maintained through continuous monitoring.

Key words Laboratory of nuclear medicine;System improvement;Spatial dose rate;