Kathy S. Thomas, MHA, CNMT, PET, FSNMMI-TS
It’s early fall, and a “constellation of nuclear medicine technologists” (an innovative term coined by a fellow technologist, Geoff Currie, in Australia) worldwide is raising the flag of professional pride to celebrate all aspects of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging during Nuclear Medicine Week. The concept of a constellation of nuclear medicine technologists plays on the idea of scintillation and reinforces that we are all a bunch of stars that shine brightly on a dim background! Nuclear Medicine Week allows us to share our commitment to our patients and reinforce how nuclear medicine and molecular imaging continue to transform medicine and improve lives.
In this issue, a new article category is being launched: Quality Case Studies. A quality case study is an institution’s internal review process using standard quality assessment tools (e.g., a root cause analysis using Lean or Six Sigma methodology) to assess a significant issue or problem and identify solutions, with the ultimate goal of preventing and solving underlying issues. For example, the study presented in this issue is related to a therapeutic administration of 131I that resulted in significant contamination of the department and personnel (1). The subsequent quality analysis of the problem explored all variables, identified a corrective action, and verified the effectiveness.
Has your hospital or clinic performed a recent quality case study that can help other nuclear medicine professionals? Consider sharing your information so others may benefit from your findings. The template for presenting this information is very straightforward: a brief, unstructured abstract followed by 4 sections—an introduction (a detailed description of the event, answering the questions what, how, when, where, and who), a “Quality Analysis” section (repeatedly asking the question why until a solution to the error is found), a “Corrective Action” section, and a “Verification of Effectiveness” section. Sharing your information is the first step in helping others improve the quality of the services provided and, perhaps, avoid a brewing problem.
Three continuing education articles are included in this issue. I am excited to announce the launch of the SNMMI Clinical Trials Network research series for technologists, which will provide fundamental clinical research information for both experienced and new nuclear medicine technologists working in academic or research settings or interested in a potential new career pathway. This series will help bridge the instruction gaps in nuclear medicine technologist programs or on-the-job training. Technologists will learn the common language of clinical trials, examine ethical and regulatory considerations, and review the different types of clinical studies involving imaging and radiopharmaceutical therapy agents. The first 2 articles in this series are included in this issue. The first article serves as an introduction to the topic as a whole (2). The second introduces the concept of ethical issues and the regulatory agencies that maintain best practices in clinical research (3). Rounding out our continuing education articles for 2021 is an introduction to Technegas (Cyclomedica) lung ventilation studies (4). This topic may seem like old news to the international community; however, in the United States, Technegas has yet to be approved. Thus, an educational offering is required in anticipation of its approval in 2022. A practical protocol tip (5) on Technegas ventilation is included to complement the Technegas continuing education article and can be added to the department’s procedure manual and incorporated into clinical practice on approval.
Complications associated with COVID-19 patients continue to challenge health-care professionals worldwide. Sajal De et al. present an interesting discussion on the incidence of thromboembolic complications and the risk factors for mismatched perfusion defects (6).
PSMA-based image-guided surgery is used to prevent incomplete resection and improve intraoperative detection and clearance of nodal metastasis. Else Aalbersberg et al. discuss the estimation and measurement of occupational radiation exposure for all personnel involved in the production, administration, imaging, and surgery associated with this technique (7).
Finally, don’t miss the remaining teaching case studies and scientific articles offering diverse topics of interest.
The December issue concludes my fourth year as JNMT editor. The support and input from my associate and consulting editors and the patience and dedication of the SNMMI publication staff continue to improve JNMT content. However, your input is also essential in helping JNMT meet the technical needs of the nuclear medicine community. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact me at ksthomas0412{at}msn.com.
Wishing you all the happiest of holidays and a safe and healthy new year.
In this issue
Jump to section
Related Articles
Cited By...
- No citing articles found.