Specializes in the management and treatment of diseases using nuclear medical technologies. It is included in the clinical support processes.
High level description #
Subprocesses #
Diagnostic Imaging #
Molecular Imaging: Utilizes radiopharmaceuticals to provide detailed images of molecular and cellular processes within the body, offering insights into how the body functions at a molecular level.
Hybrid Imaging: Combines nuclear medicine imaging techniques like SPECT/CT and PET/CT with radiological imaging (CT and MRI) to provide comprehensive diagnostic maps that enhance precision in diagnosis and treatment planning.
Activities and estimated duration #
Schedule Imaging Appointment Task
Schedule an appointment for imaging. Approximately 10-15 minutes to schedule an appointment.
Check Availability
Determine if imaging resources are available. Instantaneous.
Prepare Patient for Imaging
Prepare the patient for the imaging procedure. Approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Verify Radiopharmaceuticals and Equipment
Ensure that radiopharmaceuticals and equipment are ready for use. Approximately 15-30 minutes to verify the availability and functionality of radiopharmaceuticals and imaging equipment.
Perform Imaging Test
Conduct the imaging test on the prepared patient. Molecular Imaging takes pproximately 1-2 hours for scanning and image acquisition; while hybrid Imaging can take 1-2 hours or longer, depending on the combination of imaging modalities involved (e.g., PET/CT, SPECT/CT, MRI).
Interpret Imaging Results Task
Analyze and interpret the imaging results. Approximately takes 30 minutes to 1 hour for initial interpretation.
Therapeutic Applications #
Targeted Radionuclide Therapy: Involves using radiopharmaceuticals to deliver radiation directly to diseased cells, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
This approach is used in treating conditions like hyperthyroidism, thyroid cancer, prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, bone metastasis, lymphoma, and more.
Radiometabolic Therapy: Administering radionuclides to destroy targeted cells, such as in the treatment of hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.
Activities and estimated duration #
Review Medical History
Examine the patient’s medical records to identify contraindications or potential risks associated with the therapy. Approximately 15-20 minutes.
Choose best therapy
Evaluate the patient’s medical history to determine the appropriate course of action for treatment. Approximately 5 to 15 minutes.
Calculate Radiopharmaceutical Dosage
Determine the appropriate dosage of radiopharmaceuticals based on the patient’s weight, condition, and desired treatment outcome. Approximately 5-10 minutes.
Administer Radiopharmaceuticals
Safely administer the calculated dose of radiopharmaceuticals to the patient. Approximately 30-60 minutes.
Calculate Radionuclide Dosage
Calculate the precise dosage of radionuclides required for the therapy based on patient parameters and treatment guidelines. Approximately 5-10 minutes.
Administer Radionuclides
Administer the calculated dose of radionuclides to the patient, targeting specific affected cells. Approximately 30-60 minutes.
Safety and Quality Assurance #
Radiation Protection: Strict safety measures are followed to ensure the safe use of radioisotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Medical staff are trained to adhere to radiation safety protocols, ensuring patient safety during procedures.
Compliance with Standards: The CDTMN department upholds stringent safety standards for radiation protection, quality improvement initiatives, and health technology evaluations to safeguard both patients and medical staff.
Activities and estimated duration #
Review Radiation Protection Protocols
Ensure that all radiation protection protocols are reviewed thoroughly to guarantee the safety of patients and medical staff. Approximately 1-2 hours.
Train Medical Staff
Provide comprehensive training to medical staff on radiation safety protocols, ensuring they are equipped to adhere to safety measures during procedures. Approximately 4 hours for a thorough training session.
Monitor Compliance with Standards
Continuously monitor and assess compliance with safety standards to identify any deviations and take corrective actions promptly. Approximately 2 hours per week for monitoring activities, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
Technological Advancements #
Advanced Equipment: Utilizes cutting-edge technology like PET-CT scanners for better diagnostic results, increased safety, reliability in clinical management, and therapeutic outcomes. This technology allows for the detection of small tumor lesions that were previously challenging to identify.
Total-Body Imaging: Enables a comprehensive assessment of the body’s distribution and composition, providing detailed analyses useful in various medical conditions like obesity.
Activities and estimated duration #
Utilize Advanced Equipment
Use cutting-edge technology like PET-CT scanners for diagnostics. Approximately 60 minutes.
Perform Total-Body Imaging
Conduct comprehensive body imaging. Approximately 90 minutes.
Analyze Imaging Results
Analyze imaging data for diagnostic insights. Approximately 30 minutes.
Perform Follow-up Procedures
Conduct any necessary follow-up procedures based on imaging results. Approximately 120 minutes.
Research and Development #
Biomedical Research: Nuclear Medicine plays a pivotal role in biomedical research by facilitating the development of new drugs through early-phase clinical trials. It supports advancements in medical treatment standards through total-body imaging, AI-supported data analysis, and non-invasive network medicine approaches.
Activities and estimated duration #
Conduct Literature Review
Review existing literature to gather relevant information and insights for the research project. Approximately 1 week.
Design Experimental Protocol
Develop a detailed plan for conducting experiments, including defining research objectives, methodology, and variables. Approximately 2 weeks.
Execute Experiments
Perform the experiments according to the designed protocol to collect data and observations. Approximately 4 weeks.
Prepare Experimental Setup
Set up the necessary equipment, materials, and facilities required for conducting experiments. Approximately 1 week.
Analyze Data
Analyze the collected data using statistical and computational methods to draw conclusions and identify patterns. Approximately 3 weeks.
Interpret Results
Interpret the analyzed data to draw meaningful conclusions, insights, and implications for the research. Approximately 2 weeks.
Write Research Paper
Compile the research findings, methodology, analysis, and conclusions into a formal research paper suitable for publication. Approximately 3 weeks.
Attributes #
Staff #
- Nuclear medicine experts to perform diagnoses and interpret results.
- Medical technologists specialized in handling molecular imaging equipment and therapeutic technologies.
- Medical researchers and scientists to conduct research studies and data analysis.
- Administrative support staff for document and record managemen
Material #
- Specific radiotracers and radiopharmaceuticals for molecular imaging and targeted therapy.
- Advanced medical equipment, such as PET-CT scanners, SPECT/CT, MRI, and CT, for diagnosis and hybrid imaging.
- Medical supplies for safe administration of radiotracers and therapeutic procedures.
- Radiological protection equipment, including aprons and lead shields, to ensure staff and patient safety.
Method #
- Clinical protocols and standardized procedures for performing molecular imaging diagnoses and radiotherapeutic treatments.
- Radiological safety guidelines and regulations to ensure safe handling of radioisotopes and protect patients and medical staff.
- Research methodologies and data analysis techniques to conduct scientific studies and develop new therapeutic and diagnostic approaches.
- Quality control procedures to ensure the accuracy and reliability of imaging equipment and obtained results.
Machine #
- Molecular imaging and therapeutic equipment, such as PET-CT, SPECT/CT, MRI, and CT scanners, for accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.
- Advanced data analysis technology and artificial intelligence software to interpret images and clinical data.
- Radiological protection equipment, such as aprons and lead shields, to ensure staff safety during procedures.
- Research equipment, such as molecular biology laboratories and clinical trial centers, to conduct research studies and drug development.
Usual Loops #
Downloads #
BPMN graphs #
Download the collapsed BPMN diagram.
Download the expanded BPMN diagram.
Use Case #
The recommended software is the Inverbis Healthcare platform.
In the Diagnostic Imaging use case, there are different numbers of medical technologists, nuclear medicine experts, administrative staff, nursing staff, and medical staff, which directly affect the duration of the scheduled imaging appointment to prepare the patient for the imaging transition.
Additionally, the lack or shortage of protective material, along with the availability of medical equipment, can cause longer transitions.
The cancellation (by the patient) of the appointment will lead to a new schedule, along with inadequate preparation of the patient, technical problems, or the acquisition of low-quality images (blurry, with artifacts).
In the Therapeutic Applications use case, there are different numbers of medical technologists, nuclear medicine experts and medical staff, which directly affect the duration of the calculate and administer dosage transition.
Scientific source #
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