ML20206A868
| ML20206A868 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 03/30/1988 |
| From: | Miller V NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS) |
| To: | Fisher W NRC OFFICE OF INSPECTION & ENFORCEMENT (IE REGION IV) |
| Shared Package | |
| ML20206A759 | List: |
| References | |
| NUDOCS 8811150282 | |
| Download: ML20206A868 (2) | |
Text
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'o, UNITED STATES 8
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1 NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION usmotoN o.c.rosss f.%T. 3 0 193?
MENC::ANDUM FOR: William L. Fisher, Chief huclear Materials ano Emergency Preparedness Branch, Region !Y FROM:
Vandy L. Miller, Chief hedical, Academic and Commercial Use Safety Branch, NMSS
SUBJECT:
VETERANS ADMINISTRATION NUCLEAR NETFORK This is in response to your request for additional technical assistance relative to the renewal of the by-product materials licenses currently held by the Veterans Administration Medical Centers in Cheyenne, Wyoming and C.-and Junction, Colorado, b have reviewed the case, the previous technical assistance request. AC.
Comments, previous policy guidance on the subject and the following comments are made' 1.
The proposed V. A. Network dees not resolve the issue of providing effective on-site nuclear redicine supervision for radiation safety, regulatory compliance, management oversight and sustained quality assurance to the level and frequency required to assure patient and worker safety.
2.
The Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) in St. Louis has not demonstrated that it exercises direct supervision over the nuclear medicine-operations in either the Cheyenne or Grand Junction facilities. The Cheyenne and Grand Junction facilities are independent hospitals and retain their own management and medical staff.
3.
VANC St. Louis appears to function as a focal point for nuclear medicine resources and expertise for these and other medical centers.
The i
service is c.alogous to a contract health physics service or consultative service fur resolving medical questions.
As such, the subject institutions do not appear to be under any legal obilgation to follow the advice or suggestions of VAMC St. Louis. The NRC license remains the regulatory control at these institutions.
4.
The only precedent that appear, to be similar in concept is the VAMC St. Louis' direct support of other medical centers within its geographic area.
These relationships have been recognized by amendment to tha institution's NRC license.
These were approved, in part, due to the supportive nature of the relationship and the close proximity of the satellite hospitals to VAMC St. Louis.
Due to the larger distances between VAMC St. Louis and the Cheyenne and Grand Junction facilities it appears that VAMC St. Louis can do little more than offer "consultative services on an infrequent basis to these hospitals at this time, s2 300906 3
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William L. Fisher !
Because the proposed network does not appear to offer equivalent, or improved, safety and quality assurance standards over those offered by direct, l
day-to-day supervision, it is recomended that the licenses be renewed in accordance with current regulation and Itcensing policy.
Should the situation regarding the Veterans Adrinistration's nuclear network program significartly change, their proposal should be reconsidered.
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Please contact James H. Myers et FT5 492 - 0635 if you have furth@r questions.
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(t V ncy Mi er,
/edical Academic, and Comercial Use Safety Branch, NMSS q
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