2020-10-15-2612 - 2020 ROBERT FORREST MEMORIAL MEDICAL HEALTH PHYSICS HALF DAY SYMPOSIUM - Colt Greer ( 2020-10-15 - 2020-10-15 )

As in years past, this years half day Robert Forrest Memorial Symposium will focus on Medical Health Physics. We successfully acquired four speakers to discuss various topics relating to the health physics community. Below is the tentative 3 hour itinerary with detailed abstracts for each speaker. It should be noted this is also included in the attachments.

09:00 – 09:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks

09:15 – 09:45 Radiology Clinical Decision Support
Ryan K. Lee, MD, MBA, MRMD, Associate Professor of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University & Vice Chair of Quality and Safety, Magnetic Resonance Medical Director, Section Chief, Neuroradiology, Albert Einstein Medical Center

Abstract: As the Health Physics Society and the ACR among other professional societies have stated, medical imaging has skyrocketed over the past few decades. Overuse and inappropriate use of imaging can cause harm by unnecessarily exposing patients to excess radiation and impact patient outcomes. Costs to patient care are also increased. Physicians require a tool to understand rationale for ordering or not ordering an examination. Clinical Decision Support (CDS) provides clinicians, staff, patients or other individuals with knowledge and person-specific information, intelligently filtered or presented at appropriate times, to enhance health and health care. CDS is typically composed of 3 key parts: 1. Expert knowledge base, 2. Patient Specific Information. 3 Guidance and Intervention “understand rationale for ordering.”

09:50 – 10:20 Perspectives on Total-Body PET Scanner Design and Applications
Joel Karp, Ph.D., Professor of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania

Abstract: Positron emission tomography (PET) is a sensitive and versatile technique to image and quantify molecular processes in the human body. Until recently measurements with commercial scanners have been restricted by the axial field of view (FOV) of the scanner, which is typically 25 cm or less, thereby limiting the sensitivity to 1-2% and dynamic imaging of only a single organ. The introduction of Total Body (TB) PET scanners with an extended axial FOV of 70 cm to 2 m overcomes these limitations and offers enormous opportunity to improve clinical imaging and enable new research applications. In this this presentation we will include a discussion of the benefits of the significant increase in sensitivity due to the increased axial length and the challenges in developing TB-PET scanners. Two such scanners currently exist, the uEXPLORER developed by United Imaging and sited at UC Davis, and the PennPET EXPLORER developed by the University of Pennsylvania. Clinical and research examples will be presented to illustrate the types of new studies that are possible on these systems, and will include a discussion of the opportunities in kinetic data analysis of dynamic TB PET scans. Finally, future developments in scanner design will be presented, including a discussion of the optimal axial length, the relative gain from time-of-flight (effective sensitivity) vs higher statistics, the importance of other key factors such as spatial resolution, and concepts to make such scanners more cost-effective, such having incomplete detector coverage or using alternative detectors to L(Y)SO, such as BGO or plastic. While conventional PET scanners will continue to be used for the majority of clinical imaging, primarily with FDG, the performance of TB-PET scanners is transformative and it is likely that other vendors will offer such scanners in the near future.

10:25 – 10:55 University of Washington’s Contamination Incident Involving Cs-137 Irradiator Removal
Samantha Lockerby, MAS, RT, ARSO, Albert Einstein Medical Center

Abstract: In May of 2019 a sealed source of cesium-chloride-137 was breached during its removal from a blood irradiator. The result of this breach was a large-scale contamination incident which involved contamination to thirteen workers, multiple floors of the building, surrounding buildings and the outside environment. The object of my investigation was to determine the root causes of the extensive contamination spread. This was done by acquiring an in-depth account of the events through news articles and communication with personnel involved. A detailed summary of the events that occurred before the removal, during the breach, the initial emergency response, personnel decontamination and environmental contamination was compiled. These items were analyzed in order to determine how the contamination went undetected, how it was able to spread so expansively and how personnel were permitted to leave the site while contaminated. The goal of the investigation was to create strategies and guidance in order to prepare licensees for source removals of this caliber.

11:00 – 11:40 Beyond the data: The human side of dose monitoring
Olav Christianson, MS, DABR, Senior Medical Physicist, Practice Director – Clinical Dose Optimization Service, LANDAUER

Abstract: Radiation dose monitoring is an evolving topic in healthcare. Given recent additions to The Joint Commission standards on fluoroscopy radiation dose management, institutions face new and daunting challenges. While most hospitals recognize the importance of the information technology aspects, the importance of a streamlined system to interpret the data is now rising to the forefront. This session presents an updated perspective on the people and process essential for an optimal radiation dose monitoring program. Participants will learn how to establish an effective dose management team, streamline analysis, and translate data into insights to improve patient care.

11:50 – 12:00 Closing Remarks and Adjournment