RADIATION SAFETY

The radiation safety of the patient and of the staff is also an important part of the quality control program.

Safety requirements are needed for the different stages of manipulation of the sources: receipt, transfer to storage containers, and then to the preparation room, application in the patient, removal from the patient and transfer back to the safe. At these different levels, the radiation exposure of the staff is minimized by the use of portable and permanent shielded containers and mobile lead screens.

Time and distance are the other factors, which should be taken into consideration for ensuring protection of the staff. In addition, the proximity of the different rooms (storage room, source preparation room, operating room, and as reasonably as possible the hospital room) is also to be considered at the time of the brachytherapy department implantation.