Assessment and optimisation of staff radiation exposure in nuclear medicine at Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos

Abstract

Introduction The assessment of occupational exposure in Nuclear Medicine (NM) is constant and mandatory process. Radiation protection safety culture, quality assurance programme, different protective measures and acquired automated infusion systems, which affect the doses of optimization, were implemented in NM department. It is important to evaluate NM staff doses and influencing factors especially in PET/CT facilities. Purpose To assess external and internal exposure doses of NM workers during SPECT and PET/CT procedures using different protective measures, automatic dispenser and injection systems and to estimate the important factors for radiation exposure optimisation. Materials and methods The study was performed at NM department of Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Klinikos during 2008 - 2015. More than 200 dose measurements were performed with TLD (whole body, rings). In April 2014, PET/CT facilities were installed and 195 measurements were performed by electronic dosimeters (POLIMASTER PM1610B-01) during procedures, such as activity preparation, dispensing, injection, patient positioning and discharge. IMBA software was used for internal dose assessment. For direct measurements of internal exposure, the whole body (HP Ge) detector and thyroid counters (Nal(Tl)) were used. Results Annual doses of NM workers in most cases were Conclusion The estimated dose values are far below established dose limits. Staff doses can be reduced by implementing radiation safety culture and using a properly shielded system.