Radiation safety precautions in the management of the hospitalized (131)I therapy patient.

OBJECTIVES: The patient who has been dosed with therapeutic activities of (131)I for thyroid carcinoma poses a unique set of problems for nuclear medicine technologists in their efforts to reduce personnel exposure and control contamination spread. It is the objective of this article to: (a) review practical radiation safety concerns associated with hospitalized (131)I therapy patients; (b) propose preventative measures that can be taken to minimize potential exposure and contamination problems; and (c) review pertinent federal regulations that apply to patients containing therapeutic levels of radionuclides.