I'd be happy to share my policy, but it contains nothing about low level exposure to staff. The levels to which staff and couriers are exposed, is approximate to naturally occurring background radiation. They probably would have a higher exposure level wearing a watch with glow in the dark dial. Why stress a problem when there is none? I hope this helps. Here's some documentation that I've used for my procedure:
Am J Surg. 1999 Dec;178(6):454-7. Radiation safety with breast sentinel node biopsy. Stratmann SL1, McCarty TM, Kuhn JA. "Radiation exposure to operating room personnel, pathologists, and operative equipment during a breast sentinel node biopsy using Tc99m is minimal. A primary surgeon can perform 2,190 hours, a scrub nurse 33,333 hours, and a pathologist 14,705 hours of procedural work before surpassing Occupational Safety and Health Administration limits. Operative instruments, pathology slides, and cryostat machines do not require special handling" Eur J Nucl Med. 2000 Apr;27(4):377-91. Radiation safety of the sentinel lymph node technique in breast cancer. Waddington WA1, Keshtgar MR, Taylor I, Lakhani SR, Short MD, Ell PJ. "The radiation doses to staff groups involved in all aspects of the technique are low, and under normal circumstances and levels of workload, routine radiation monitoring will not be required" Terri L. Braud, HT(ASCP) Anatomic Pathology Supervisor Holy Redeemer Hospital Laboratory 1648 Huntingdon Pike Meadowbrook, PA 19046 Ph: 215-938-3676 Fax: 215-938-3874 Today's Topics: 3. Sentinel nodes (Histology) Message: 3 Date: Wed, 28 May 2014 17:45:25 +0000 From: Histology <hi...@pathlab.us> Subject: [Histonet] Sentinel nodes Hi All, Sorry, if you already responded to this. We had computer issues and I missed some emails. I am hoping that someone would share their policy/procedures on sentinel lymph nodes. In particular, documenting that all staff and couriers know that they may be exposed to low levels of radiation. Thanks in advance! ************** --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This E-Mail is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it was sent. It may contain information that is privileged and/or confidential, and the use or disclosure of such information may also be restricted under applicable federal and state law. If you received this communication in error, please do not distribute any part of it or retain any copies, and delete the original E-Mail. Please notify the sender of any error by E-Mail. Thank you for your cooperation. _______________________________________________ Histonet mailing list Histonet@lists.utsouthwestern.edu http://lists.utsouthwestern.edu/mailman/listinfo/histonet