The nuclear medicine procedure begins with the request for an examination or treatment. This request should be written and contain the following basic information:
This information helps the nuclear medicine specialist decide on the most appropriate method and urgency of the procedure. The patient should be scheduled for the examination and informed about the timing and location. If the procedure requires any preparation (e.g., fasting), the patient should be informed in advance. Efficient administrative systems are crucial for managing these steps.
Alongside scheduling, the facility must ensure that the necessary radiopharmaceutical is available at the time of the procedure.
Upon arrival at the nuclear medicine facility, the patient must be correctly identified according to standard hospital procedures. The patient should be fully informed about the procedure and have the chance to ask questions. A well-informed and motivated patient is key to the success of the procedure.
Before the radiopharmaceutical is administered, the patient should be interviewed about factors such as pregnancy, children at home, breastfeeding, and other relevant conditions. These factors may have implications for the procedure. Additionally, the technologist or doctor must review the request and ensure the right examination, treatment, radiopharmaceutical, and activity are selected.
If all checks are in order, the radiopharmaceutical can be administered, and the administered activity must always be recorded.
For most adults, maintaining the required position during the procedure is generally feasible without restraint or sedation. However, for children, immobilization or sedation may be necessary to ensure successful completion of the examination. In elderly patients with pain, increasing the administered activity to reduce examination time is another option to consider.
Optimization of protection during an examination means operating the equipment within its technical specifications to ensure it functions satisfactorily and safely in terms of both the task and radiation safety. More detailed guidelines are available in Chapters 8 and 15.
In radionuclide therapy, protection optimization involves administering a correctly calculated and measured activity to achieve the prescribed absorbed dose in the organ(s) of interest, while minimizing radioactivity in the rest of the body. Additionally, routines should be established to avoid accidental exposures to the patient, staff, and the general public. Further information is provided in Chapter 20.
It is highly recommended to maintain a written manual outlining all procedures carried out in the facility. This manual should be regularly reviewed and updated as part of a quality assurance (QA) program to ensure consistent, high-quality care.
Important: Regular updates and a QA program are vital for maintaining safety standards.