The Design of Diagnostic Medical Facilities where ... - ResearchGate

uptake probe and associated equipment. This room should be located away from high activity areas and/or
it should be adequately shielded as the activities measured in it are generally low. A wash-hand basin with
elbow or sensor operated taps should be provided.
4.4.4 In-vitro measurement area
Several tests in nuclear medicine involve assessment of relatively low activity in vitro samples. These include, for
example, patient samples complementary to scanning, and radiopharmacy quality control materials. It may be
possible to integrate this work into the uptake assessment area if both have relatively low workloads, although
the possibility of contamination must be borne in mind. If the workload is large, additional facilities may be
needed. The room should be located away from high activity areas and/or it should be adequately shielded.
Laboratory bench areas will be essential for equipment, sample handling and record keeping. Surfaces should be
non porous and easily cleaned and decontaminated. A dedicated sink connected direct to external drain for
disposal of liquids, and a wash-hand basin with elbow or sensor operated taps should be provided.
4.4.5 Other areas
There are a number of other areas where radionuclides may be used, both within the nuclear medicine unit
and elsewhere throughout the hospital for example a cardiac stress test area. However, these areas are not
considered in this Code as their design features do not draw heavily on radiation protection issues.
4.5 Hospital laboratories using radionuclides
Many hospitals will have laboratories that use radionuclides within the pathology service and/or research
units. In these laboratories the radioactive material is generally more contained than in the nuclear medicine
department and hence the design issues are more straightforward.
The design of a laboratory for the use of unsealed radioactive substances depends on the radionuclides and
activities to be handled, as well as the complexity of procedures being undertaken. Most hospital laboratories
such as haematology or pathology use sources of low activity. However, it is important that the RPA and the
laboratory end user are involved in the design.
A radiation risk assessment will normally show that the structural shielding in good modern laboratory facilities
need little or no upgrading to conform to the requirements for low-level radioactive work. A specific designated
work-area within the laboratory may be required for the preparation and counting of radioactive samples. Surfaces
should be easy to clean and decontaminate, be free of joints and sharp corners should be avoided.
A lockable storage facility, shielded if necessary, must be provided for the safe storage of radionuclides. This
should be situated in proximity to the workbench. Radiation warning signs must be placed on the door of
the storage facility, the designated work area, any sink designated for the disposal of low-level liquid waste
and containers for solid waste.
Local storage for short and medium term waste will be required within the laboratory. However, depending
on space and operational policies, longer term waste storage may be available in the hospital radioactive
waste management facilities (Section 4.7).
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The Design of Diagnostic Medical Facilities where Ionising Radiation is used