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Nuclear Medicine / Nuclear Cardiology

Phoenix Technology Corporation performs audits of Nuclear Medicine programs to ensure compliance with State and Federal Regulations as well as commitments contained in the radioactive materials license. Listed below are several areas that are emphasized during the audit:

  • Radiation protection within the nuclear medicine program.
  • Quality control results for nuclear medicine equipment.
  • Calibrations and efficiency evaluations for certain nuclear medicine units.
  • Medical/legal implications of the record keeping program.
  • Conformance with standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

A comprehensive set of forms and procedures for use within the Nuclear Medicine Department is available to assist the staff with the documentation of required record maintenance. During the quarterly audit, a verbal review of all findings is presented to the Radiation Safety Officer and/or nuclear medicine technologist, at the discretion of the facility. Written reports are provided to the client, which include a page highlighting the findings and recommendations from the audit for a quick overview by technologist and physician. A Quality Control Log is provided which outlines all necessary QC testing and scheduled events with due dates provided. The reports include specific documentation to assist the Radiation Safety Officer for follow up on all findings and recommendations relative to the survey. In addition to the survey, the physicist may participate in the Radiation Safety Committee meetings at the time of his or her visit, if requested by the client. We also provide assistance with the preparation of radioactive materials license renewals and amendments as needed. We review personnel dosimetry records and make any necessary suggestions or recommendations if exposures are noted to be in excess of ALARA levels. Phoenix Technology Corporation will provide a written review of changes in State and Federal regulations as they are announced. Suggestions are provided concerning steps which must be taken to ensure compliance. In addition, we provide a quarterly newsletter to assist with updates on regulatory and licensing issues.

Phoenix Technology Corporation provides comprehensive audits for hospital based and private practice Nuclear Cardiology programs to ensure compliance with State and Federal Regulations as well as commitments contained in the radioactive materials license. Special needs unique to the use of radiopharmaceuticals for cardiac imaging are addressed during the visit. Listed below are several areas that are emphasized during the audit:

  • Waste disposal procedures
  • Spills
  • Ancillary staff training to include introduction of new agents and protocols for cardiac imaging
  • Image quality for SPECT camera systems to include review of the manufacturer's recommended QC tests for the camera
  • Radiation protection in the nuclear cardiology program
  • Medical/legal implications of the record keeping program
  • Conformance with standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations .

A comprehensive set of forms and procedures for use within the Nuclear Cardiology Department is available to assist the staff with the documentation of required record maintenance. During the quarterly audit, a verbal review of all findings is presented to the Radiation Safety Officer and/or nuclear medicine technologist, at the discretion of the facility. Recent testing performed by PTC personnel using the ACR approved Jasczcak phantom for SPECT QC has yielded an alarming number of gamma camera systems which would not pass current ACR accreditation standards. In some cases, this has resulted in the lack of acceptable correlation between nuclear medicine study results and other imaging modalities. We have found the reasons for these findings include the following:* Improper uniformity calibrations * Improper application of uniformity software correction* Improperly performed or applied COR test data and other equipment and/or software related problems. For all SPECT capable gamma camera systems, Phoenix Technology is now recommending that Jasczcak phantom QC testing be performed on, at least, an annual basis to ensure optimization of your gamma camera system. A comprehensive written report with findings and recommendations along with a Quality Control Log is provided to the client after each audit. The report includes specific documentation to assist the Radiation Safety Officer for follow up on all findings and recommendations relative to the audit. Please call our office at 770.645.1440 for pricing and scheduling information.