Operating Procedures for COVID-19 in a Nuclear Medicine Department

The COVID-19 is a highly transmittable viral disease. It has placed significant challenges on health-care systems whether in the preparation, response, or recovery phase of the pandemic. Nuclear Medicine facilities had to rapidly adjust their standard operating procedures to cope with the pandemic cases and deliver their services. This was done with local guidance, resources available and following the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommendations. We implemented contingency procedures that included: the use of personal protective equipment, effective patient flow (screening triage and targeted referral), apply all standard radiation protection and optimization principles. In case the hybrid study involves a CT of the chest, it was imperative to look for incidental COVID-19, if incidental findings were detected it was reported to the clinician to triaged the patient correctly. All non-urgent nuclear cardiology studies were postponed because COVID-19 is associated with increased risks in patients with cardiovascular disease. Myocardial perfusion studies for ischemic heart disease were triaged as “must be performed using precautions”. The number of our nuclear medicine studies decreased in 50% in April 2020. We could detect incidentally one case of COVID-19.