Children: rad exposure from Nuc Med patients

["Engelbretson, David" <DEngelbretson@tmh.tmc.edu>]

Dear Colleagues,

I would be interested to hear what other medical facilities with Nuclear
Medicine depts. are doing  to keep rad exposures as low as reasonably
achievable to children (less than 18 yrs)  who accompany patients.
What about patients who have been injected with PET products?

I am concerned about children being around other injected patients in
waiting areas and especially mothers who have been injected.  Whole body
meter surveying may create needless fear for the patient and their
family.   Is concern warranted?  If so, would patient instructions
stating that children should not accompany patients and that the
children should be kept some distance away for some time period
afterwards, be the best solution?

Suggestions? Advice?  Your responses would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

David Engelbretson
Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX
dengelbret@tmh.tmc.edu