Page 49 - Brachytherapy

Radiation monitoring

around patient

After implantation of sources in a patient, a radiation survey must

be performed in areas within and around the patient’s room.

Radiation levels should be measured and recorded so as to assist in

maintaining minimum exposure of hospital staff and visitors. The

radiation levels in adjoining patients’ rooms should be very low,

such that no individual would receive more than 0.2 mSv in any

one hour. Prior to release of an implant patient from hospital, the

patient and the room must be surveyed. For temporary implants a

survey must be done upon removal of the sources so as to confirm

removal of all sources. Patients with permanent implants may be

discharged from the hospital if at the time of discharge the

radiation level at 1 m is less than 0.5 mSv/h. 45