Harbor Radiation Precautions

• Risk
  • Post radiation treatment for Graves, ~30 min exposure at 3' is ~ 1/2 CXR dose of radiation
  • Lead vest is not protective
• Procedure:
  • There should be a Complex Care Plan pop-up if the procedure was done at Harbor noting the end time for radiation risk
  • Place stop sign on the patient's door
  • Have a log of staff entering room with entrance and exit time (exposure time is cumulative)
• Distance
  • Stay outside room for history if possible - ideally 6'
  • Request temporary dosimeter from Radiation Safety Office (x67700) if prolonged exposure expected (<1' for >2 hrs)
• Time
  • Do not linger in the room - get in, then get out
• Isolation
  • Single patient room, no shared bathroom
  • If admitted, notify patient flow early of the isolation need
• Waste management
  • Linens and trash: EVS should place them in the Radiation Storage Locker on the loading dock
• Additional Reference Pages
  • Acute Radiation Syndrome
  • Radiation Exposure (disaster)
  • Background Radiation Risk from Medical Imaging