Heartbeat: SWB fly the flag for safety in imaging

April 7, 2020

The mention of nuclear medicine is enough to frighten most patients but the care, attention and professionalism in imaging soon settles their nerves. This month, colleagues in imaging have been taking to the stage at conferences and gatherings across the country to share their knowledge and improve services and safety for patients and clinicians alike.

Earlier this month Senior Clinical Scientist, Joe O’Brien took to the stage to deliver his talk at the annual British Institute of Radiology Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) meeting focussing on ‘Physics and new developments in SPECT. Taking a broad approach to the topic, Joe delivered an engaging session on the physics processes behind SPECT\ CT with a particular focus on metal artefact reduction for CT which could be a breakthrough for bone scans and imaging infections.

Taking to the stage at the annual UK Radiology group meeting Consultant Radiopharmacist and Head of Radiopharmacy, Jilly Croasdale focussed on the preparations organisations have to go through in readiness for an Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) inspection. The ONR are the regulatory authority overseeing the transport of radioactive materials and as such compliance is an absolute must for all training. Recognising Jilly and the radiopharmacy department’s expertise on the topic, the ONR recently inspected the radiopharmacy department and praised its risk assessments.

Over at the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, Consultant Physicist and Head of Nuclear Medicine, Bill Thomson took on the challenge of presenting the findings of a research study into the effects of radioactive spillages. Presenting his paper on ‘Personnel Dosimetry’ Bill detailed his findings from research which looked into estimating the doses to the skin of hands in the event of a radioactive incident or spill of Technetium-99m, Yttrium-90 and Fluorodeoxyglucose. Calculations were made with a program obtained through the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which allowed the protective values of different thicknesses of gloves to be examined.