Peckham, Zach

After implementing a process for flagging readmitted radiopharmaceutical therapy patients, it was discovered that major assumptions for these patients were not correct, specifically the magnitude of patients and the location of the readmissions. Data collected from May to December 2024 revealed 501 post-therapy patient encounters out of 1,139 administrations. Analysis showed varying return rates across different radiopharmaceuticals and departments, highlighting the need for updated radiation safety response. Results indicated that most encounters occurred in outpatient settings, with contamination above action levels found in 61% of responses. The study underscores the importance of continuous assessment and collaboration among stakeholders to adapt to new radiopharmaceutical therapies and ensure effective radiation safety practices.

The radiopharmaceutical therapy field is experiencing a surge of novel treatments and expanded uses for existing treatments, broadening the range of patients that can be treated. This expansion presents new challenges for managing patient release due to new patient populations with additional comorbidities, increasing the incidence of patients requiring care shortly after administration. This paper outlines the challenges and potential solutions for managing readmitted radiopharmaceutical therapy patients. It discusses the importance of having radiation protection policies and procedures in place for staff who may be unfamiliar with radiation. The paper also highlights the need for just-in-time training and radiation monitoring equipment for care staff, as well as the development of a notification system within the electronic health record to ensure staff can safely care for these patients. Preparing for these eventualities is essential for implementing a radiopharmaceutical therapy program that is ready for the expansion of existing and novel treatments.