Authors (including presenting author) :
To CN, Lam PYW, Wong MC
Affiliation :
Department of Clinical Oncology, Tuen Mun Hospital, New Territories West Cluster, HKSAR
Introduction :
Radioactive iodine (I-131) is an adjuvant treatment for thyroid cancer patients to improve disease free survival by destroying suspected but unproven residual disease, especially in those at increased risk of disease recurrence. Patient taken radioactive I-131 will have radiation hazard for healthcare workers and special arrangement had to be implemented. Patient will be arranged in a single room with lead shelter and time exposure for nursing care will be kept as short as possible.
It is not uncommon for admission of patients with correctional staff escort. In consideration with the detainment of the patient, environmental renovation had to be implemented. A workflow was established for this rarity to assist staff and stakeholders in handling the aforementioned issue.
Objectives :
1. Frontline staff will be able to be familiar in preparing admission for patient receiving radioactive iodine-131 with correctional staff escort.
Methodology :
1.A workforce group including supervisors, frontline staff and physicists was formed in October, 2018 and coordinate with Hong Kong correctional staff to delineate the preparation.
2.A workflow including room renovation by hospital foreman, room preparation by nursing staff and preparation for correctional staff was established.
3.Room preparation by hospital foreman included: removal of toilet door, overhead illuminator, television rack and curtain; installation of wide-angle reflective mirrors and installation of wooden boards to cover all windows.
4.Room preparation by nursing staff: removal of items with suicidal risk, such as detergent, soap dispenser, toilet paper roll, oxygen and suction facilities
5.Briefing by physicists was provided to correctional staff regarding use of personal dosimeter and radiation precaution.
6.The workflow and the special preparation was briefed to all staff in ward.
Result & Outcome :
The admission of patient receiving radioactive iodine-131 with correctional staff escort was completed uneventfully. Stakeholders and frontline staff also accredited the availability of the workflow.
