IPEM topical report: personal dose monitoring requirements in healthcare

There are two major challenges for personal dosimetry in healthcare. The implications for interventional clinicians of the reduction in eye dose limit in the European Basic Safety Standards and UK regulations, and the large dose gradients across the hands of nuclear medicine staff who manipulate radionuclides. Guidelines on personal dosimetry have been prepared to address these and other issues. Collar dosemeters are recommended for assessment of eye doses for the majority of staff working with x-rays and, for interventional operators, dosemeters under their lead aprons to monitor effective dose together with eye dosemeters. When a dedicated eye dosemeter is worn together with lead glasses a correction might be required to allow for the protection provided. A dosemeter worn on the chest should provide an indication of eye dose for nuclear medicine workers. Finger doses for interventional clinicians can be monitored with ring dosemeters, but radionuclide workers may need to wear finger stalls if doses to fingertips are likely to be over 100 mSv. If only ring dosemeters are used, ratios for doses to the tip and base of the finger should be established. Guidance is given on levels where dose monitoring would be required and methods to predict dose levels based on local practices.