Measurement and Calculation of Beta Emitter Radiopharmaceutical

[Robert A Scott <bobscottchp@juno.com>]

Radsafers:

	In RI we have just received the revised regulations of the Radiation
Control Agency.  And one of our docs wants to treat a patient with sodium
phosphate (P-32) for polycythemia vera.  The order is for 3.2 mCi, but
vendors only supply in 5 mCi (5 ml) vials or syringe.  Are there any
vendors out there who supply unit doses of sodium phosphate (P-32)?  The
new regs say that if I cannot obtain a unit dose, I have to be able to
measure or measure and calculate the dose using some method other than a
simple comparison technique with a photon dose calibrator.  Then whatever
method I use, I have to document and describe the assay technique and
hold this documentation for 3 years.

	I thought of a basic internal standard liquid scintillation technique,
but such standards are not routinely available anytime we want.  

	So how do we do this?  Or am I interpreting this regulation too
literally?  Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Bob Scott, RPO 
Roger Williams Medical Center
Providence, Rhode Island
bobscottchp@juno.com
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