Radiologists are changing dosages, switching radioisotopes, and rethinking medical imaging requirements in response to unsteady technetium-99m supplies.
The shutdown last fall of a nuclear reactor in Canada continues to roil the practices and hospitals that depend on the nuclear material produced at that reactor and elsewhere.
In response to unsteady supplies of technetium-99m, radiologists have switched to different radioisotopes, adjusted technetium-99m dosage, and taken different approaches to imaging.
At St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, Chief of Nuclear Medicine Frank Schraml, MD, explains how the hospital dealt with a similar shortage several years ago.
"The radiopharmacies in the area essentially give us priority, because we order a lot of isotopes," Schraml says.
During a severe shortage of technetium-99m two years ago, Schraml thought St. Joseph's might have to turn to thallous chloride 201, a suboptimal isotope, but instead decided to make its supply of technetium-99 go a little further.
Scott Mace is the former senior technology editor for HealthLeaders Media. He is now the senior editor, custom content at H3.Group.