Navigating Radiation Safety After Radiopharmaceutical Therapies: Proposed Workflow and Essential Guidelines for Nonspecialists

Abstract

With the increasing use of radiopharmaceutical therapies, there is a critical need to appropriately inform health care professionals (HCPs) who are unfamiliar with these therapies about the radiation safety precautions required when managing recently treated patients. Clear and easily accessible instructions are essential for minimizing radiation exposure to medical staff and simultaneously reducing fear of interacting with a radioactive patient, as these factors can impact the delivery of adequate and timely medical care. In this paper, we present a workflow designed to provide clear guidelines and safety protocols for HCPs who may encounter postradiopharmaceutical therapy patients during urgent medical visits or hospital admissions. This workflow consists of 2 key strategies: an electronic medical record flag system and a physical wristband that alerts the HCP that the patient may be radioactive and includes a link to a website with detailed information. These tools ensure that HCPs who encounter these patients will have immediate access to essential radiation safety information, thereby safeguarding staff and maintaining the continuity of patient care.