POSITION STATEMENT * ENONCE DE POSITION
2.Nucalear medLicine physicians and radiation safety Board of Directors, Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine T he practice of nuclear medicine entails the administration of radioactive substances to patients for diagnosis or therapy. The radioactive material must be procured, stored and dispensed, and its distribution within the body must be analysed. Finally, it must be disposed of. Each activity involves the potential exposure to radiation of such people as health care workers, patients' relatives and members of the public as well as the environment. Therefore, although the nuclear medicine physician has a primary duty to the patient the practice of nuclear medicine cannot be regarded as simply a matter between physician and patient. How physicians deal with patients clearly affects the safety of others. It follows that the practice of nuclear medicine cannot be separated from concern for radiation safety in the nuclear medicine facility, and concern for the patient's protection against radiation (the reponsibility of the physician') cannot be separated from the concern for others. Equally, although ultimately the legal responsibility of the physician the practice of nuclear medicine requires the collaboration of professionals from different disciplines. The Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine (CANM) recognizes that radiation protection procedures are integral to the practice of nuclear medicine. To adhere to the ALARA2 principle, which
states that radiation exposure should be kept as low as is reasonably achievable (economic and social factors being taken into account), physicians who use radionuclides must consider not only the patients but also the radiation protection concerns of the workers in the medical facility and of the public. Consequently, CANM urges nuclear medicine physicians to be actively involved with radiation safety in the medical facility where they practise. If the radiation safety officer is not a physician close collaboration and cooperation must exist between him or her and nuclear medicine physicians. Without prejudice to the responsibilities mandated by the Atomic Energy Control Board, the radiation safety officer has the responsibility to report all his or her findings and recommendations to the physician in charge of nuclear medicine. The best interests of the patients, the health care workers and the public can be served only if such a close working relationship is established and maintained.
References 1. Protection of the patient in nuclear medicine. Ann ICRP 1987; 52: 8-9
2. Radiation protection. Ann ICRP 1977; 26: 3
The CMA supports the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine in its efforts to ensure close liaison between radiation safety officers and directors of nuclear medicine departments where the officer is someone other than the director. Reprint requests to: Dr. Adel G. Mattar, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Victoria Hospital Corporation, 375 South St., London, Ont. N6A 4G5
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2.Nucalear medLicine physicians and radiation safety Board of Directors, Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine T he practice of nuclear medicine entails the administration of radioactive substances to patients for diagnosis or therapy. The radioactive material must be procured, stored and dispensed, and its distribution within the body must be analysed. Finally, it must be disposed of. Each activity involves the potential exposure to radiation of such people as health care workers, patients' relatives and members of the public as well as the environment. Therefore, although the nuclear medicine physician has a primary duty to the patient the practice of nuclear medicine cannot be regarded as simply a matter between physician and patient. How physicians deal with patients clearly affects the safety of others. It follows that the practice of nuclear medicine cannot be separated from concern for radiation safety in the nuclear medicine facility, and concern for the patient's protection against radiation (the reponsibility of the physician') cannot be separated from the concern for others. Equally, although ultimately the legal responsibility of the physician the practice of nuclear medicine requires the collaboration of professionals from different disciplines. The Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine (CANM) recognizes that radiation protection procedures are integral to the practice of nuclear medicine. To adhere to the ALARA2 principle, which
states that radiation exposure should be kept as low as is reasonably achievable (economic and social factors being taken into account), physicians who use radionuclides must consider not only the patients but also the radiation protection concerns of the workers in the medical facility and of the public. Consequently, CANM urges nuclear medicine physicians to be actively involved with radiation safety in the medical facility where they practise. If the radiation safety officer is not a physician close collaboration and cooperation must exist between him or her and nuclear medicine physicians. Without prejudice to the responsibilities mandated by the Atomic Energy Control Board, the radiation safety officer has the responsibility to report all his or her findings and recommendations to the physician in charge of nuclear medicine. The best interests of the patients, the health care workers and the public can be served only if such a close working relationship is established and maintained.
References 1. Protection of the patient in nuclear medicine. Ann ICRP 1987; 52: 8-9
2. Radiation protection. Ann ICRP 1977; 26: 3
The CMA supports the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine in its efforts to ensure close liaison between radiation safety officers and directors of nuclear medicine departments where the officer is someone other than the director. Reprint requests to: Dr. Adel G. Mattar, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Victoria Hospital Corporation, 375 South St., London, Ont. N6A 4G5
1176
CAN MED ASSOC J 1990; 143 (I 1)
