Chapter 20: Diagnostic investigations
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Principles of care
Radiation protection is more complex than for X‐ray procedures because, in addition to the external hazard, there is an internal hazard from contamination arising from contact with the radiopharmaceutical itself or with the patient's body fluids.
Once a patient has been given a radioactive material, they become radioactive themselves; how much and for how long depend on the type and amount of radioactive material used. In the case of diagnostic nuclear medicine, the safety of ward staff nursing these patients can be assured by following very simple advice. The advice regarding therapeutic procedures is more detailed and the nuclear medicine department, Radiation Protection Adviser or Supervisor should always discuss procedures with the ward before the patient is treated (IRMER [76]).
