Iodine-125 seed implant discharge instructions

[Chris Alston <alstonc@odrge.odr.georgetown.edu>]

>Date:         Thu, 25 Jun 1998 08:40:00 -0500
>Reply-To: Medical Physics Mailing List <MEDPHYS@LISTS.WAYNE.EDU>
>Sender: Medical Physics Listserver <medphys@cwis-20.wayne.edu>
>From: "Engelbretson, David" <DEngelbretson@TMH.TMC.EDU>
>Subject:      Iodine-125 seed implant discharge instructions
>X-To:         Rad Safe Bulletin Board <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
>To: MEDPHYS@LISTS.WAYNE.EDU
>
>Dear Colleagues,
>
>Our radiation therapy department is currently using Iodine-125 discharge
>instructions that state  "Persons under 45 years of age (children and
>pregnant women included) should remain at least 9 feet away except for a few
>minutes per day".  These instructions were developed years ago.
>
>We are currently reviewing this discharge information and revision is under
>consideration.   Even though I-125 has a 60 day half life,  we think 9 feet
>is a bit excessive for the small amounts we use for brachytherapy.
>
> What instructions/ precautions are other  facilities using ?
>
>This particular precaution was from NCRP report No. 37,  chapter 4.1.2.
>This report was issued in 1970 and reprinted in 1973.
>
>Thank you for your help.
>
>David Enhgelbretson, MS
>Asst. RSO
>Methodist Hospital
>Houston, Texas
>
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