Answer to Question #10815 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Nuclear Medicine Patient Issues — Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q

After a patient is injected with gallium-67 (67Ga), should a pregnant nurse be assigned to take care of that patient? Depending on the unit, a nurse could be providing care at a very close distance for suctioning, changing dressings, etc. A six-foot distance cannot always be maintained. The nurse might also work a 12-hour shift if the patient is in a critical care unit. Her time at the bedside would be longer. Is it safe for a pregnant nurse to be at the bedside?

A

This same question could be asked about a number of nuclear medicine imaging studies. With all such studies, the radionuclide administered will be eliminated over time due to physical decay and biological elimination.  

The Food and Drug Administration information about 67Ga can be found here.

Using typical imaging administered activities, the dose to the ovaries of the patient is expected to be 14 mSv. It is reasonable to assume that the patient's body absorbs at least half of the emissions that would be expected on the surface of the body. For someone standing at the bedside, these amounts would be further reduced as the distance from the patient increases. If there is a choice among various staff members, one would not routinely assign a pregnant woman to care for patients with radioactivity on board; however, this choice is not always possible. In addition to other considerations, radiation safety staff would need to discuss the number of such patients expected over a set time interval and may need to provide personnel monitors for the period of the pregnancy.    

Given the caveats mentioned above, pregnant staff can care for these patients without exceeding permitted dose limits.

Jean St. Germain, CHP, DABMP, RMP

Ask the Experts is posting answers using only SI (the International System of Units) in accordance with international practice. To convert these to traditional units we have prepared a conversion table. You can also view a diagram to help put the radiation information presented in this question and answer in perspective. Explanations of radiation terms can be found here.
Answer posted on 30 October 2013. The information posted on this web page is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may affect the applicability of concepts, materials, and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice. To the best of our knowledge, answers are correct at the time they are posted. Be advised that over time, requirements could change, new data could be made available, and Internet links could change, affecting the correctness of the answers. Answers are the professional opinions of the expert responding to each question; they do not necessarily represent the position of the Health Physics Society.