University College Hospital Unsealed source radiotherapy Radiotherapy Department Patient information series 49
2 If you need a large print, audio or translated copy of the document, please contact us on: 020 3447 3711 (Direct line) 020 3456 7890 ext 73711/bleep 1458 0845 155 5000 ext 73711/bleep 1458 We will try our best to meet your needs.
3 Contents Introduction 5 Implications of being a comforter and carer 5 Providing support and care while keeping your radiation dose to a minimum 6 Any further questions? 7
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5 Introduction Your relative/friend has received (or will be receiving) a substance that remains radioactive during, and for a few days after, their treatment. This substance produces radiation in the form of gamma rays, which are similar to X-rays. To reduce the exposure of other people to this radiation, your relative/friend is being, or will be, treated in a specially designed room with restricted visiting times. However, it is possible for you to provide more support or care than is normally permitted if you become designated as a comforter and carer. Implications of being a comforter and carer There is no legal limit to the amount of radiation dose you are allowed to receive as a comforter and carer. Consequently you may receive more radiation dose than is allowed for a member of the public. It is thought that exposure to even a small amount of radiation may result in a small increased chance of developing cancer in later years. For instance, the chance of harm resulting from the radiation dose a normal member of the public is allowed to receive is 1 in 20,000. This chance of harm is similar to: Smoking 40 cigarettes during a lifetime. Driving a car for one year. Nine months of normal home life. The chance that radiation will cause harm increases with the amount of radiation dose received. We will therefore aim to limit your radiation dose to no more than five times the public radiation dose limit. This is about twice the annual radiation dose we each receive from natural sources of radiation that exist in our normal environment. It is also less than the radiation dose a member of staff is legally allowed to receive.
6 Providing support and care while keeping your radiation dose to a minimum You will be provided with a digital radiation monitor and a radiation protection film badge. A member of staff will explain how it is used and how to record the radiation dose you receive which will be kept by us for future reference. The following rules will help you to reduce the radiation dose you receive. Time Always try to minimise the amount of time in contact with your relative or friend. Distance Avoid any prolonged close contact. If you must have close contact, keep this to as brief a time as possible. Keep as far away from your relative/friend as is practical. The radiation dose will be much lower if you keep your distance. Shielding Where possible remain behind the mobile shields within the room. Contamination In addition, some of the radiation is excreted in bodily fluids such as saliva, sweat and urine. When you are in the treatment room: You must wear disposable gloves and overshoes, and a gown over your clothes. You must not use the ensuite toilet. You must not remove any article from the room. You must not eat or drink anything while in the room. When leaving the treatment room, you must remove the gloves, overshoes and gown. You will be shown where to put them. You must also wash your hands and monitor your hands before leaving the treatment suite. You will be shown where and how to do this.
7 As a comforter and carer it is safe for you to have contact with children and pregnant or breast feeding women. It is also safe for you to visit public places (eg. family and social gatherings, restaurants, pubs/clubs, theatres, shops, libraries etc). You will be asked to sign an agreement designating you as a comforter and carer to a patient undergoing unsealed source radiotherapy. Any further questions? If you have any further questions about your role as a comforter and carer, or your relative s/friend s treatment, please contact: Radioisotope Radiographer Caroline Walker Main switchboard: 0845 155 5000 ext 4286/bleep 1097 Alternative switchboard: 020 3456 7890 ext 4286/bleep 1097 Email: caroline.walker@uclh.nhs.uk Brachytherapy Radiographer Eleanor Gill Direct telephone: 020 3447 3782 Main switchboard: 0845 155 5000 ext 73782/bleep 1128 Alternative switchboard: 020 3456 7890 ext 73711/bleep 1128 Email: eleanor.armstrong@uclh.nhs.uk Radiotherapy Medical Physics Main switchboard: 0845 155 5000 bleep 2173 Alternative switchboard: 020 3456 7890/bleep 2173
First published: June 2004 Last review date: July 2013 Next review date: July 2015 Leaflet code: UCLH/S&C/CD/RT/UNSEALEDSRC/2 University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Created by Medical Illustration RNTNEH 020 3456 5103 Unique Code: 28938