Abstract
A questionnaire survey on safety of nuclear medicine studies was conducted under the subcommittee for radionuclide imaging and nuclear medicine technology of Japan Radioisotope Association to promote patient safety. Questionnaires sheets were sent to 1288 hospitals and 14 clinical laboratories in Japan with valid responses from 1016 facilities (78.0%).
The number of accidents and incidents decreased to 53.3% of those of 2001, due mainly to the decrease in the number of incidents. Incidents due to errors in handling of the imaging apparatus was markedly decreased compared with the last survey. Accidents and incidents due to bump/contact by cameras decreased markedly. About a half of the accidents was attributable to incorrect handling of the patients. The number of system malfunction and break of cameras decreased to 39.2% of those in 2004. The results may indicate that 70% of incidents and accidents is prevented by concise explanation, meticulous care of patients and re-education of safety precautions to workers in nuclear medicine facilities. Improvement in the fixation device of patients and preparation of safety manual were regarded as important for promoting safety in nuclear medicine practice.
