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FDA Approves Expanded Use of Zevalin
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Case Study of the Month
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54-year old woman with a left
hepatic lobe mass seen on computed tomography.
Liver-spleen scintigraphy was requested to
differentiate...see more
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Monthly Scans
(viewable)
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
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Free Continuing Education
(see article to right)
Anatomy and Physiology Review for Nuclear Medicine Technology - 2009 Update
Cardiac Electrophysiology for Nuclear Medicine Technology - 2007 Update
Correct Coding for Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures, Part 1
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging - 2009 Update
Stress Testing in Cardiac Nuclear Medicine Technology - 2009 Update
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 Dear
In
light of continuous changes affecting the healthcare industry, it is essential
to always stay informed. Changes in reimbursement, clinical
applications, competing modalities, procedures guidelines, product
availability, regulatory issues, and continuing education requirements are
always on the horizon for nuclear medicine.
In an effort to help you stay
informed and aware of the latest happenings, Radiopharmacy, Inc. produces a monthly
newsletter, "The Monthly Scan", containing local nuclear medicine community
information, product information, reimbursement updates, regulatory issues,
procedure guideline updates, and many other topics pertinent to nuclear medicine. Radiopharmacy has been making this publication
available to our customers for nearly 11 years.
Past issues from January/2002 to the present can be viewed on
Radiopharmacy's website, www.radiopharmacy.com. Along with our online issues, we will be sending electronic copies. We hope you find this issue helpful.
The Radiopharmacy Staff
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FDA Approves Expanded Use of ZevalinŽ
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Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, a commercial-stage biotechnology company with a focus in oncology, just recently announced ZEVALINŽ received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for an expanded label for the treatment of patients with previously untreated follicular Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who achieve a partial or complete response to first-line chemotherapy. This new and expanded indication supplements the 2002 FDA approval of ZEVALINŽ as treatment for patients with relapsed or refractory, low-grade or follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
"We believe the approval of ZEVALIN as an effective treatment option following a first-line regimen represents a notable advance in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and significantly expands the addressable population for ZEVALIN," said Rajesh C. Shrotriya, MD, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Spectrum Pharmaceuticals.
The approval of the new indication was based on data from the FIT Study with CD20-positive follicular NHL who had achieved a partial response or a complete response after receiving a first-line chemotherapy regimen. Patients were treated with first-line chemotherapy regimens. At 3.5 years of follow-up, the FIT trial demonstrated that when used as part of first-line chemotherapy for patients with follicular NHL, ZEVALINŽ significantly improved the median progression-free survival time from 18 months (control arm) to 38 months.
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CotaraŽ Performs Well
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Peregrine Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recently reported interim Phase II data  showing that its brain cancer agent CotaraŽ appeared well tolerated and demonstrated encouraging signs of efficacy in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the deadliest form of brain cancer. See press release.
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Patient Comfort Systems
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 Patient Comfort Systems has rolled out new positioner pads compatible with various modalities, including PET and nuclear medicine. The pads are meant to make patients more comfortable when undergoing procedures, as well as prevent the spread of infections from drug-resistant bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Go to website
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NRC Enforcement Actions
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 Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County
On May 14, 2009, the NRC issued a Notice of Violation to Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County for a Severity Level III violation involving the failure to implement 10 CFR 20.1801. Specifically, on February 12, 2009, the licensee stored radioactive materials in a hospital hot lab, a designated controlled area, and did not secure the materials therein from unauthorized removal or access by failing to lock the hot lab door.
U.S. NRC LICENSEE NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2009
Event #2: Medical Event Involving Unintended Dose
Date and Place: October 15, 2008 Huntington, West Virginia
The licensee reported that a patient received an unintended dose of 1,786 cGy (rad) to the esophagus. The patient was being treated for a thyroid condition with a capsule containing 5.55 GBq (150 mCi) of I-131. The patient attempted to swallow the capsule on 10/15/2008, but it became lodged in the patient's throat due to an esophageal obstruction. The licensee's staff attempted to aid the patient in swallowing the capsule by having them drink soda and eat applesauce. The capsule eventally passed the obstruction after approximately 2.5 hours. The event was discussed with the patient during a follow-up visit with the physician on 10/22/2008. Po tential adverse effects include esophagitis and radiation fibrosis. The NRC retained a medical consultant to review this event.
U.S. NRC LICENSEE NEWSLETTER WINTER 2008
Event #3: Medical Event Involving Wrong Patient Treatment
Date and Place: July 17, 2008, Allentown, Pennsylvania
The licensee reported that a patient prescribed to receive 0.74 GBq (20 mCi) of I-131 was administered 2.78 GBq (75 mCi) of I-131 on July 17, 2008. Two patients were scheduled for different I-131 therapy doses and the doses got switched. The patient was given a blocking agent of 130 milligrams of SSKI approximately one hour after the I-131 administration. The next day, measurements indicated a 74 MBq (2 mCi) uptake to the patient's thyroid and a 370 MBq (10 mCi) whole body retention. Both patients and their physicians were notified. Corrective actions included procedure modifications.
U.S. NRC LICENSEE NEWSLETTER FALL 2008
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Free Continuing Education
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 There are currently 26 NucMed credits available on the Covidien www.nucmeded.org web site. All classses are free of charge. See below some of the offerings.
Anatomy and Physiology Review for Nuclear Medicine Technology - 2009 Update
Cardiac Electrophysiology for Nuclear Medicine Technology - 2007 Update
Correct Coding for Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Procedures, Part 1
Myocardial Perfusion Imaging - 2009 Update
Stress Testing in Cardiac Nuclear Medicine Technology - 2009 Update
Enrollment Instructions:
Go to www.nucmeded.org
Click on the self-enroll button
Fill out the information and click on submit
A link will pop up taking you back to main page
Login into site. Go to the site now
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CE Meeting
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Blood Pool Imaging: Multiple Gated Acquisitions (MUGA) & GI Bleeding Scans
Date: October 28, 2009
Refreshments at 5:30 p.m.
Presentation at 6:00 p.m.
Radiopharmacy, Inc.
1409 E. Virginia St.
Evansville, IN 47711
Please RSVP by October 27, 2009 by calling Radiopharmacy, Inc. at
(812) 421-1002. You may also fax your reservation at (812) 421-1004.
Sponsored By:
Covidien
Radiopharmacy, Inc.
Approved for 1 hour technologist CE credit
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KSNMT FALL 2009 EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM
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KSNMT FALL 2009 EDUCATION
SYMPOSIUM
HOLIDAY INN HURSTBOURNE
KSNMT Site
NOVEMBER 7, 2009
7:15 - 8:00
Registration and
breakfast
8:00 - 8:15
Welcome
8:15 - 9:15
Making your lab exclusive (ICANL)
- Mary
Beth Farrell, MS, CNMT, NCT, RT(N)
9:15-10:15
PET: Diversification beyond FDG-18
- Eric Schockling, BS, CNMT
10:15-10:30
Break
10:30-11:30
First Pass Imaging - Jill
Vajen, CNMT
11:30-12:20
Lunch
12:20-12:45
Business Meeting - election of officers
12:45- 1:45 New
Technology with Hardware/Software
in Nuclear Medicine
- Jill Vajen, CNMT
1:45 - 2:45
The
next chapter in nuclear cardiology
- Kathryn Ayers, CNMT, NCT
2:45 - 3:00
Break
3:00 - 4:00
Impact
of SPECT/CT in Nuclear Medicine
- Partha
Ghosh, MD
4:00 - 4:15
Wrap-up
Program will be submitted for 6 VOICE
credits
*May be subject to change without
notice*
Call Radiopharmacy for a registration form.
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For Sale....Slightly used, heavily discounted
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 Lead Bricks..........$60.00 each
Rectangular Lead Brick; 8" l x 4" w x 2" h (20 x 10 x 5 cm), 27 lb (12.5 kg)/each
Thyroid Uptake Neck Phantom....$295.00
(Complete with Bottle Carrier, Capsule Holder and 12 Polyethylene bottles)
Lead Apron...................$100.00
......a protective shield of lead and rubber that may be worn by a patient, radiologic technologist or radiologist.
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Technologist Job Line
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If you are interested in the following position please feel free to contact the department directly, or give us a call at the pharmacy. Technologists looking for full-time or part-time position.
Karen Foncannon: 731-661-9287 Wk: 731-541-7866
Contact info: Karen.foncannon@hotmail.com
Cameron Turpin: 618-262-6439
Contact info: camturp16@hotmail.com
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Radiopharmacy Services
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Survey Meter Calibration: 
Radiopharmacy's price for survey meter calibration is $50.00/meter. Shipping and handling from and back to your location is $20.00. Shipping will be by FedEx ground unless otherwise specified. We will pick up the instrument, send it to Mid-America Calibrations, and after calibration return it directly to you. If required, Radiopharmacy has rental survey meters while your unit is being calibrated.
Co-57 Flood Sources and Dose Calibrator Reference Sources 
Don't forget; Radiopharmacy, Inc. sells all types of radioactive sources for all types of cameras and equipment. We supply sources from a variety of major vendors in our efforts to pass along the best products at the lowest cost. Just give us a call for a price quote or for information about anything your department may need.
Linearity Check
Radiopharmacy, Inc. has a Lineator for performing dose calibrator linearity. The Lineator allows linearity to be performed in minutes rather than days. Call Radiopharmacy for more information.
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Radiopharmacy, Inc. is staffed by
Board Certified Nuclear Pharmacists (BCNP's) with advanced education, training
and experience in the preparation, distribution, and pharmacology of
radiopharmaceuticals. Our staff is always available to answer questions or
research information regarding radiopharmaceuticals and nuclear medicine
studies, unexpected biodistributions, adverse reactions, drug interactions,
radiation safety, regulatory requirements, and reimbursement strategies. We also offer assistance with literature
searches, research design preparation, investigational drug procurement,
specialized labeling procedures, pharmacokinetic analyses, and dosimetry
estimations.
Radiopharmacy's services are
designed to assist your department in offering the newest, most progressive therapies
and diagnostic tests available, and to help you maximize your overall
efficiency in order to improve patient satisfaction and your profitability. To go to our website click on the image above.
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NOTE TO READERS: In an
effort to keep the Monthly Scan relevant, useful and informative,
feedback on the contents of the newsletter is welcome. Readers desiring
to contribute articles, suggestions for future articles, bulletins,
website postings, and other items of interest to the Monthly Scan
readership, should contact a pharmacist at Radiopharmacy, Inc. Sincerely,
This communication is intended only for the named recipient and may contain confidential and/or legally privileged information. If you receive this material/information in error, please contact us and delete or destroy the material/information.
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