Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 4. Medical Imaging Procedures
Published on: October 3, 2016
Practical matters for the control of contamination in a nuclear medicine department
A Nicol1, J Robertson, A McCurrach
1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Southern General Hospital, 1345 Govan Road, Glasgow G51 4TF, UK. alice.nicol@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
Abstract:
A practicable and safe methodology is required for the control of contamination arising due to work in nuclear medicine departments, taking account of the range of radionuclides used for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A method for categorising radionuclides is proposed, based on their contamination derived limits. The categories utilised are: low energy gamma, imaging gamma, high energy gamma with beta, low energy beta, high energy beta and (51)Cr. A framework for the preparation of a risk assessment for the control of contamination in a nuclear medicine department is presented. This includes assessment of the procedures performed, occupancies and workflows for the department and a review of control measures. A risk assessment should also include a contamination monitoring programme and a practicable approach is presented.
Related Concept Videos
Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
Physical Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth: Radiation and Filtration
Methods for Controlling Microbial Growth
Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
Cleaning, Sterilization, and Disinfection
Cleaning
The cleaning process usually involves using water with detergents or enzymatic cleaner and removing foreign material from objects and surfaces, including organic material such as body fluids or inorganic material like soil. Cleaning is performed before high-level disinfection and sterilization because foreign materials on the cover of the devices interfere with process...