RE: Patient discharge per RG 8.39

["North, David" <DNorth@Lifespan.org>]

We basically use the methodology of Appendix B in Reg Guide 8.39 to
determine the appropriate time for discharge of an in-patient who has
received a dose of I-131 for the treatment of thyroid cancer. However, we
have found from a study of our database of over 200 such administrations of
I-131 that the effective half-lives given in Table B-1 of Appendix B do not
apply to this group of patients. We have recently submitted this study to
Health Physics for publication (hopefully) as a paper. According to the
protocol we have developed (which we also plan to submit as an operational
note) most patients stay over one night before discharge, regardless of the
activity administered.

David L. North, Sc.M. DABR
Associate Physicist
Department of Medical Physics
Rhode Island Hospital
593 Eddy St.
Providence, RI 02903
ph: (401)444-5961
fax: (401)444-4446
dnorth@lifespan.org


> ----------
> From: 	Gordon Axt
> Reply To: 	radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu
> Sent: 	Monday, April 10, 2000 12:51
> To: 	Multiple recipients of list
> 
> I have the following questions regarding the release of radioactive 
> materials patients as described in Regulatory Guide 8.39 (or Agreement 
> State equivalent):
> 
> 1.  Does your institution utilize this criteria to allow for early release
> 
> of RAM patients?
> 2.  If not, why not?
> 3.  If so, what advantages/disadvantages have you experienced thus far?
> 
> Thank-you for your help.
> Gordon Axt
> gordon-axt@uiowa.edu
> 
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