I-131 Therapies An additional $.02

[VERNIG.PETER@forum.va.gov]

{Original Msg: 'Re: I-131 therapies' from <root@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
{
{It may not decrease volume much, but we use Whatman Benchkote (SP?) for
{covering room floors.  It is a plastic backed paper that has a
{texture similar to a heavy art paper so it has some absorbancy,
{but not a lot.  The plastic backing is firmly bonded to the paper.
{We stick it down with duct tape and get a floor that doesn't 
{present as much of a tripping or slipping hazard as absorbant paper.
{It peels up quickly and if folded and not wadded into a drum keeps
{the volume fairly small.  We usually end up with 1 55 gallon drum and
{a bag with linen, telephone, and call button.  We cycle the telephones
{and call buttons rather than decontaminating them.  A room decon
{usually takes two people about two hours plus time to run wipes and
{return if needed.  Occasionally, a decon will take longer.  Explain
{to me how a patient can get I-131 underneath plastic backed paper
{without tearing :) I just can't figure it out.  The prep is two
{people for about one hour.
{
{Usually the toilet is the toughest to decon.  We once had a patient
{that required an elevated seat for the toilet.  The crew found
{very little contamination on the seat itself and we just stored
{the elevated seat.  The crew wanted to make every patient use one!
{They gave in when they found out that it cost the patient a couple
{of hundred dollars to get the elevated seat!
{
{One drawback to using Benchkote is that it costs about $100 to
{prep a room.  Since we are a recharge unit, we find it is cost
{effective to use it.  The staff time saved is more than enough
{to cover the cost of material.  Let me know how this compares
{with your procedures.  Good luck!
{
{Dale E. Boyce
{dale@radpro.uchicago.edu
 
 
Dale Boyce wrote about getting contamination under bench kote paper.
I have found that if you get the floor waxed just before putting down
your paper any contamination comes up pretty easily.
 
 
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