Section 325.5468. DEQ Did not provide language. Radiation dose control.

(1) As required in rules 203 and 205 the radiation dose of visitors, the occasionally exposed, and other individuals not classified as occupational radiation workers shall be limited to less than 0.5 rem per year.

(2)   In order to meet the individual dose limits, as provided in rules 203 and 205, radiation protection control shall limit the dose of patients not receiving therapeutic radiation to 200 mrem per admission. The dose limit of 200 mrem to "non-radioactive patients" shall be used for planning radiation protection control and doses up to 0.5 rem per admission may be authorized by the radiation protection supervisor on an individual case basis under conditions of emergency.

(3)   Control shall be exercised by the licensee or applicant to assure that the dose of visitors and hospital staff does not exceed the limits given in rules 203 and 205.    In general, visitors

should remain about 1.8 meters (6 feet) or more from the patient, except for brief periods to shake hands, deliver mail, and the like. Pregnant women and children shall not in general be allowed to visit patients having an appreciable radioactive burden. Exceptions can be made in case of urgency, but the visits should be brief, a distance of 6 feet or more shall be maintained, and written authorization by the radiation protection supervisor shall be required. The control measures exercised may appropriately include the use of personnel monitoring devices by visitors, hospital staff and others.

(4)    Female personnel known to be pregnant shall not attend the brachytherapy patient during radiation treatment.

(5)    Nursing personnel attending the brachytherapy patient shall be considered radiation workers and shall be assigned individual personnel monitoring equipment. If the brachytherapy workload does not justify permanent dosimeter assignment to each nurse, additional dosimeters may be ordered as needed, if they are individually assigned during the monitoring period and the name of the individual to whom each dosimeter is assigned is transcribed to the permanent dosimeter dose record.

History: 1979 AC.