Designing of High-Volume PET/CT Facility with Optimal Reduction of Radiation Exposure to the Staff: Implementation and Optimization in a Tertiary Health Care Facility in India

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been in use for a few decades but with its fusion with computed tomography (CT) in 2001, the new PET/CT integrated system has become very popular and is now a key influential modality for patient management in oncology. However, along with its growing popularity, a growing concern of radiation safety among the radiation professionals has become evident. We have judiciously developed a PET/CT facility with optimal shielding, along with an efficient workflow to perform high volume procedures and minimize the radiation exposure to the staff and the general public by reducing unnecessary patient proximity to the staff and general public.

Radiation Safety for Anesthesiologists and Other Personnel on Simultaneous PET/MRI: Possible Radiation Exposure from Patients While Performing Prolonged Duration Scans

“…Judiciously designing the facility with optimal shielding, along with an efficient workflow to reduce unnecessary patient proximity to the staff, enables a reduction in professional radiation exposure. 13…”

Reduction of radiation exposure to patients and professionals by reducing the administered activity of 18f-fluorodeoxyglucose in a positron-emission tomography/computed tomography study

“…The present regulatory framework in our country to plan a layout of a PET/CT facility is based on the assumption that around 370–555 MBq FDG is injected in a routine PET/CT imaging. [ 7 ] According to regulatory norms, in a PET/CT patient waiting room, there should be at least 2 m distance along with a 230 mm RCC wall between any two 18F-FDG administered patients. However, certain modifications to this layout can be made by adhering to the regulatory norms as described by Jha et al .…”

“…However, certain modifications to this layout can be made by adhering to the regulatory norms as described by Jha et al . [ 7 ] Based on the workload of the department, a PET/CT facility can be planned with appropriate alterations in the area, wall thickness, and material for construction.…”

“…The typical layout of a PET/CT facility is as suggested by the atomic energy regulatory board (AERB) as described by Tandon[ 6 ] PET/CT facility in our hospital has provision for 3 postdose waiting areas as described by Jha et al . [ 7 ]…”

Design Feasibility Study of PET/CT Facility in Iraq

“…There are two types of radiation sources present in the nuclear medicine department: (1) Radioisotope and (2) The injected patients. The radioisotope present in the department can be confined and shielded to achieve negligible radiation exposure from it when not in use [9]. This room is utilized before the scan to inject the patient with the radiopharmaceutical materials.…”