Participation of Nuclear Medicine Technologists in Radiation Accident Management

Even though the probability for a serious radiation accident is extremely small, the reality of such accidents demands serious consideration and preparation. Generally, nuclear medicine technologists are better qualified than any other hospital staff members in dealing with such practical problems as (A) how to detect and measure radiation, (B) how to prevent the spread of radioactive contamination, (C) how to reduce the radiation dose to the persons involved, and (D) how to assist the physician and the health physicist in caring for radioactivity contaminated accident victims. To be prepared to assume this dormant responsibility, the nuclear medicine technologist needs to test his familiarity with the necessary basic practices which must be executed immediately after a radiation accident victim is brought to the hospital. The skills needed for the prompt and decisive response of emergency personnel have to be tested and practiced frequently. Nuclear medicine technologists have an unusual advantage here in that many of the skills and instruments that are required are used daily by the technologist in nuclear medicine laboratory practice. This article discusses how nuclear medicine instruments can be quickly modified for radiation emergencies, and how simulated accident drills can test the readiness of the nuclear medicine team.