Dedicated computer software to radiation dose optimization for the staff performing nuclear medicine procedures

Nuclear medicine techniques allow physicians to observe and diagnose physiology of chosen organs as well as the whole body of a patient. This visualization is possible not only because radioisotopes are applied, but there is also a significant progress in the computer software possibility. The advantage of the cooperation between medicine and informatics can be implemented in the radiation protection field of medical staff. The presented computer software, so-called Optimizer, was dedicated to the medical staff responsible for radiopharmaceutical preparation. It is known that the doses obtained in the nuclear medicine "hot labs" can be higher in comparison with the doses obtained by the rest of the personnel in the same department. The main advantage of the presented program is that the time needed for radiopharmaceutical preparation can be shortened and, as a result, the doses absorbed by personel can be reduced. The information of the volume containing planned radioactivity at the time of the application can significantly reduce the number of checking (volume and radioactivity), which normally takes place before the final handing over the radiopharmaceutical to the application. A user-friendly interface provides control at each step of the preparation protocol. For the convenience of medical staff all current examinations were coloured in one of the three colours: red (an application has to be done now), yellow (waiting) and green (done). The Optimizer was created for the Nuclear Medicine Department in the 5th Military Hospital in Krakow (Poland). What is more, currently it is successfully used and final TLD (thermoluminescent dosimetry) tests have been performed.