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Detection at Public Facilities of 131I in Patients Treated for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Frequency, Sites, Management by Security Agents, and Physician Documentation Recommended for Patients.

MedStar author(s):

Bethancourt, Evelyn

Bikas, Athanasios

Burman, Kenneth D

Orquiza, Michael

Van Nostrand, Douglas

Wartofsky, Leonard

Wu, Di

Citation: Journal of Nuclear Medicine. 60(5):638-643, 2019 05.PMID: 30361377Institution: MedStar Health Research Institute | MedStar Washington Hospital CenterDepartment: Medicine/Endocrinology | Medicine/Nuclear MedicineForm of publication: Journal ArticleMedline article type(s): Journal ArticleSubject headings: *Documentation | *Iodine Radioisotopes/an [Analysis] | *Iodine Radioisotopes/tu [Therapeutic Use] | *Physicians | *Public Facilities | *Security Measures | *Thyroid Neoplasms/rt [Radiotherapy] | Humans | Thyroid Neoplasms/pa [Pathology]Year: 2019 Local holdings: Available online from MWHC library: 1964 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1999 - 2006ISSN:

0161-5505

Name of journal: Journal of nuclear medicine : official publication, Society of Nuclear MedicineAbstract: Rationale: Patients treated with 131I may be identified at security checkpoints at various public facilities. The objective of this survey was to determine the frequency of detection, spectrum of public facilities, the various management of these patients by security agents, and the spectrum of physician documentation for the patient regarding his/her 131I therapy. Methods: Data were tabulated from a ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. (ThyCa) survey emailed to ~15,000 associates and available online from Dec 2013 to Dec 2014. Responses were tabulated from respondents who reported that they were >18 yo, had at least one therapy of 131I for differentiated thyroid cancer, and were responding regarding their last 131I therapy. Results: Of 621 respondents, 595 reported an attempt to pass through a public facility security checkpoint. Of these 595 pts, 9.6%(57) were identified as being radioactive, and of 43 respondents, the facility was an airport in 35%(15), border crossing in 33%(14), government building in 19%(8), shopping mall in 7%(3), train station in 5%(2), and steel recycling plant in 2%(1). Of 47 respondents, the security agent's management of the patient included questioning 38%(81), allowing to proceed without a change in travel plans 57%(27), requesting documentation of the therapy 55%(26), rescanning 55%(26), calling a member of the treating team for validation 17%(8), "strip" searching 4%(2), detaining such that a change in travel plans was required 6%(3), and/or prohibiting continued travel for 4%(2). Of 47 respondents, they were detained from <30 min 57%(27), 30-<60 min 21%(10), 1-<1.5 hrs 15%(7), 1.5- <2hrs 2%(1), 2-4 hrs 0%(0), > 4 hrs 4%(2). Data regarding physician documentation are presented Conclusion: Detection of radioactivity in public facilities after 131 I therapy occurred in 9.6% of patient-respondents in a variety of security checkpoints. Travel inconvenience is not infrequent and may require altering travel plans. Physicians should take steps to assure that patients not only have appropriate documentation of their 131I therapy with them but also have instructions regarding how the security agent may verify the patients' 131I therapy.Copyright (c) 2018 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.All authors: Bethancourt E, Bikas A, Bloom G, Burman KD, Orquiza M, Van Nostrand D, Wartofsky L, Wu DOriginally published: Journal of Nuclear Medicine. 2018 Oct 25Fiscal year: FY2019Digital Object Identifier:

https://dx.doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.118.213256

Date added to catalog: 2018-11-09

Holdings ( 1 )
Title notes ( 4 )

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Collection	Call number	Status	Date due	Barcode
Journal Article	MedStar Authors Catalog	Article	30361377	Available		30361377

Available online from MWHC library: 1964 - present, Available in print through MWHC library: 1999 - 2006

Rationale: Patients treated with 131I may be identified at security checkpoints at various public facilities. The objective of this survey was to determine the frequency of detection, spectrum of public facilities, the various management of these patients by security agents, and the spectrum of physician documentation for the patient regarding his/her 131I therapy. Methods: Data were tabulated from a ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association, Inc. (ThyCa) survey emailed to ~15,000 associates and available online from Dec 2013 to Dec 2014. Responses were tabulated from respondents who reported that they were >18 yo, had at least one therapy of 131I for differentiated thyroid cancer, and were responding regarding their last 131I therapy. Results: Of 621 respondents, 595 reported an attempt to pass through a public facility security checkpoint. Of these 595 pts, 9.6%(57) were identified as being radioactive, and of 43 respondents, the facility was an airport in 35%(15), border crossing in 33%(14), government building in 19%(8), shopping mall in 7%(3), train station in 5%(2), and steel recycling plant in 2%(1). Of 47 respondents, the security agent's management of the patient included questioning 38%(81), allowing to proceed without a change in travel plans 57%(27), requesting documentation of the therapy 55%(26), rescanning 55%(26), calling a member of the treating team for validation 17%(8), "strip" searching 4%(2), detaining such that a change in travel plans was required 6%(3), and/or prohibiting continued travel for 4%(2). Of 47 respondents, they were detained from <30 min 57%(27), 30-<60 min 21%(10), 1-<1.5 hrs 15%(7), 1.5- <2hrs 2%(1), 2-4 hrs 0%(0), > 4 hrs 4%(2). Data regarding physician documentation are presented Conclusion: Detection of radioactivity in public facilities after 131 I therapy occurred in 9.6% of patient-respondents in a variety of security checkpoints. Travel inconvenience is not infrequent and may require altering travel plans. Physicians should take steps to assure that patients not only have appropriate documentation of their 131I therapy with them but also have instructions regarding how the security agent may verify the patients' 131I therapy.

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