The following report was received via email:
The Colorado Radiation Control Program (RAM Unit) received a call from the licensee on February 29, 2008 at approximately 13:15 that a small spill had occurred as part of a cardiac treadmill test. We [Colorado Rad Control Program] received written communication on February 29, 2008.
The diagnostic dose prescribed for the patient was 31.4 mCi of Tc-99m (Cardiolite). The patient was walking on the treadmill. During the initial attempt of injection of the nuclide into the patient via the catheter, part of the dose (~2 mCi) spilled out at the juncture of the catheter and the needle into the patient resulting in a small spill onto the patient and down onto the treadmill. The test was stopped at that point and the patient was cleaned where the spill had occurred. There was no clothing contaminated. The attending staff was surveyed and none of the staff was contaminated.
The area was monitored, ambient gamma exposure rates were about 50 uR/h, with the highest exposure rate on the impacted area of the treadmill reading ~3.5 mR/h. Readings returned to background within three feet of the spilled material. Due to the rough surface of the treadmill, remediation was not performed, rather the spill areas was covered with plastic sheeting and marked as a contaminated area. The treadmill was out of service until 3/3/08, which was longer than 10 half lives (they took advantage of the weekend). However, since the device was out of service for longer than
24 hours2.777778e-4 days <br />0.00667 hours <br />3.968254e-5 weeks <br />9.132e-6 months <br />, this is reportable under
Colorado Regulations Part 4.52.2.2, which are equivalent to NRC
10 CFR 30.50 (b)(1). The licensee has followed up with retraining of the nuclear medicine technician by reviewing the procedures for checking the IV tubing and making sure the proper connections are intact.