Proposed Dose Constraints in the Duties of Radiation Workers at the Department of Nuclear Medicine.

This study aimed to set a dose constraint for certain duties of radiological technologists in the department of nuclear medicine. From 2013 to 2017, the 5 y radiation exposure data of employees performing PET-CT and γ-CAMERA of eight hospitals in Korea were measured individual exposure doses to estimate the frequency and set a representative dose of 75 and 95% from the low dose in the whole category is presented. The dose constraint was 5.5 mSv for PET-CT, 4.5 mSv for γ-CAMERA and 3.5 mSv for Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-Computed Tomography(CT) and Gamma CAMERA (γ-CAMERA). Therefore, it would be appropriate to set a dose-limit value of ~5 mSv corresponding to 75-80% of the individual exposure dose of radiological technologists in the department of nuclear medicine. The finding of this study may be used as reference data for setting future radiation dose limits.

A study on usefulness evaluation of SUV measured in mini-PACS for each one of PET/CT equipment.

To save and analyze the data from a positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan, it is sometimes important to use a server away from the workstation of the equipment or to install and operate mini-picture archiving and communication system (PACS). Mini-PACS was developed to save the data from a scan and measure the standard uptake value (SUV) in PACS that could be measured only in PET/CT equipment manufactured by many companies. Against this background, this study examined whether the SUV measured in PET/CT equipment was the same value in mini-PACS. This study evaluated Biograph 16 and Biograph 40 manufactured by SIEMENS and Discovery Ste 8 manufactured by GE, all of which are installed in this hospital. The SUV of the aorta of 30 patients, who had undergone an (18)F-FDG whole body PET scan in the period from February to October 2012, was measured at the height of the liver and mediastinum. In the mini-PACS program, the SUV was also measured and analyzed in an image with the same phase. According to the study results, the coefficient of the SUV of the liver in PET/CT equipment and mini-PACS was 0.99, 0.98, and 0.64 in Biograph 16, Biograph 40, and Discovery Ste 8, respectively, where the coefficient of the SUV of aorta was 0.98, 0.98, and 0.66 in Biograph 16, Biograph 40, and Discovery Ste 8, showing a positive correlation in all equipment.

Survey on radiation safety management (RSM) among Korean radiation workers who operate radiation generators or handle radioactive isotopes.

This study examined the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of radiation workers to radiation safety management (RSM) using survey questionnaires. Radiation workers are those who handle radiation generators, radioactive isotopes, and other radioactive materials for industrial uses. The survey was distributed to 861 radiation workers between 1 August to 5 September 2011. A knowledge of, awareness of, attitude toward, and behaviors related to RSM were analyzed by comparing the means and standard deviations. Both the knowledge and awareness of RSM among radiation workers were high. Although all questions about the awareness of RSM were answered correctly, there were also many negative responses. All questions regarding the attitude of radiation workers toward RSM were answered correctly, and their attitude toward and awareness of RSM were high. Overall, the results demonstrated that safety management is not taken seriously in many cases, highlighting the need for proper education in the future to raise awareness among radiation workers. Furthermore, it is important to establish a foundation for the efficient use of radiation based on the continuous management of radiation workers.

A study on image quality management in PACS used by Korean hospitals.

This study evaluated a method to maintain the optimal image quality in clinical practice for image quality management in a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) that uses typical technology for digital medical images. This study conducted a survey of 25 hospitals in Seoul and metropolitan areas that had installed PACS to examine the reality of image quality management. Sixteen diagnostic monitors were used as calibration tools to compare and analyze the external illuminance uniformity and grayscale standard display function (GSDF) values at each frequency. According to the survey results, most of the hospitals did not have any particular rules or standardized methods for image quality control. In a PACS, the calibration frequency was examined within the allowable limits of error for each week and month. The calibration was not affected by the difference in brightness of the environment for reading an image. The GSDF measurement values were quite different from the standard values. In conclusion, to improve the image quality of the digital system, it is important to make good use of the system and maintain the image quality. Therefore, it is critical to capitalize on the method suggested in this study and maintain the optimal image quality to guarantee a high level of observer satisfaction.