News from Radiopharmacy, Inc.

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

End of Tc99m Shortage

It appears the Tc99m shortage has ended. The nuclear reactors in Canada and the Netherlands are once again producing Mo99. The resumption of full production by these reactors returns the global Mo99 supply to "normal" levels, and all Mo99/Tc99m generator orders are now being completely filled. Absent any unforeseen supply chain interruptions, and considering the extensive repairs completed on the world's two primary Mo99 sources, there should be no Tc99m rationing in the future. I believe we should now be able to consistently meet the needs of your patients and referring physicians.

Thanks very much for your patience and assistance over the past 18 long months. If you would like more information or have questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call.

Tim Quinton, PharmD, MS, BCNP

President/Owner

Radiophamacy, Inc.

812.421.1002

CMS Announces Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule for FY 2011

On Friday, June 25th CMS announced the Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Rule for Calendar Year 2011. The following is a brief summary of those proposed rules.
See reimbursement insert comparing some of the 2010 final RVUs to the 2011 proposed RVUs.

Important Nuclear Medicine proposed CMS policies include:

Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR): The Medicare law includes the standard statutory formula that will require (absent Congressional intervention) CMS to implement a minus 6.1 percent update in payment rates for physician-related services in 2011. This cut will be on top of the 2010 -21.2 percent, now delayed until December 1, 2010.

Practice Expense (PE): CMS continues for the second year, the phasing-in over four years the implementation of the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician Practice Information Survey (PPIS) data administered in 2007/08 for practice expense (PE) indirect per hour rate. CMS did not reverse its final decision from 2010 for myocardial perfusion imaging codes (CPT 78451-78454), and those codes remain at full implementation. However, this year's calculation of practice expense for all nuclear medicine procedures, with the exception of one (CPT add-on codes 78496 Cardiac blood pool imaging, gated equilibrium, single study, at rest, with right ventricular ejection fraction by first pass technique) resulted in increases.

Equipment Utilization Rate: Medicare law requires CMS to implement a 75 percent equipment utilization rate assumption for expensive diagnostic imaging equipment in CY 2011. In general, the codes affected by the 75 percent utilization rate are CT and MRI codes, including cardiac CT and cardiac MRI procedures.

Imaging Accreditation of Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Services: CMS did not give further guidance in this proposed rule. All indications from previous transmittals are that nuclear medicine facilities paid in the MPFS for the Global (or technical) portion of the procedure must have accreditation by a CMS approved organization on or before January 1, 2012. At last CMS publication, ACR, ICANL and JCAHO meet the qualifications of a CMS designated accreditation body.

Self Referral Disclosure Law: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) amends the in-office ancillary services exception to the self-referral law as applied to magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography, to require a physician to disclose to a patient in writing at the time of the referral that there are other suppliers of these imaging services, along with a list of other suppliers in the area in which the patient resides. CMS is proposing to require that the referring physician provide the patient with a list of ten alternative suppliers within a 25-mile radius of the physician's office who provide the same imaging services.
The list must include, name, address, phone number and distance from the physician's office at the time of the referral. It is to be given to the patient at the time of referral and a signature on the disclosure is required and must be maintained in the medical record. CMS is currently not proposing to expand the list of procedures affected by this policy. CMS proposes to implement this law on January 1, 2011, as making the policy retroactive would be impractical and CMS believes the policy must go through rule making.

There continues to be NO changes for radiopharmaceutical payment methodology in the physician office proposed for 2011. Technically, Radiopharmaceuticals (RP) such as FDG and 99mTechnetium based agents are not subject to the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) nor are any drug or contrast agents. However, for radiopharmaceuticals, the carriers do have discretion in how they set their RP pricing. The majority of Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) currently pay based on invoice cost or average invoice with a very few holding on to the old percentage of average wholesale price (AWP) as noted the most current publication of Redbook

Consistent with requirements of the DRA, this 2011 proposed rule caps payment rates for imaging services under the physician fee schedule at the amount paid for the same services when performed in hospital outpatient departments.

CPT/HCPCS	Description	2010 Final © HOPPS Rate	2011 Proposed HOPPS Rate	% Change
78306	Bone imaging, whole body	$246.82	$250.11	+1.3
78320	Bone imagine, (SPECT)	$246.82	$250.11	+1.3
78452	Heart image (SPECT), multiple (w WM and EF)	$773.20	$768.38	-0.6
78491-2	Heart image PET, single & multiple	$1429.36	$1099.16	-23.1
78802	Radiopharmaceutical localization of tumor or distribution of radiopharmaceutical agent(s); whole body, single day imaging	$509.16	$487.77	-4.2
78803	Radiopharmaceutical localization of tumor or distribution of radiopharmaceutical agent(s); tomographic (SPECT)	$509.16	$487.77	-4.2
78804	Radiopharmaceutical localization of tumor or distribution of radiopharmaceutical agent(s); whole body, requiring 2 or more days imaging	$960.70	$860.24	-10.5
78812	PET/skull-thigh	$1034.81	$1051.27	+1.6
78815	PET/CT skull-thigh	$1034.81	$1051.27	-1.6
A9582	I-123 MIBG per study dose	$2282.67	$2282.67	--

CMS Changes Restriction of 'Only One' FDG PET Scan for Certain Tumors

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a notice declaring that the national coverage determination (NCD) will be changed to remove the current absolute restriction of coverage to "only one" FDG PET scan. Local Medicare administrators will have the authority to cover - or not cover - any additional scans for initial treatments in solid tumors and myeloma.
     CMS reviewed the manual and said in a memo that there was no available evidence to support the absolute restriction
     The new ruling will allow CMS to continue covering one FDG PET scan, nationally, to determine the location and extent of a tumor for therapeutic purposes related to the initial treatment strategy. Local Medicare administrators will create their own criteria to determine if additional scans will be covered by the program, a CMS spokesman told DOT med News.
     So this decision is not a national one, the spokesman explained. "It simply gives Medicare administrative contractors the flexibility to broaden their policies locally," he said.
     For imaging professionals, the CMS move is a good one, said Dominique Delbeke, president of SNM.
     "Clearly, there are circumstances where patients need more than one PET scan even before they start any therapy," Delbeke told DOTmed News, explaining that the current rule would only cover one scan during the initial treatment.
     Doctors could present to local Medicare administrators information regarding patients that would warrant subsequent scans, Delbeke said. For example, if there is a prolonged period of time between the initial diagnosis and treatment, another scan may be needed. But that doesn't mean Medicare has to OK the coverage.
     "Insurance companies and Medicare can always say no," she said. "But that wouldn't be in the favor of good patient care."
     "Having criteria in place is not a bad idea," Delbeke said, to determine which subsequent scans get coverage.

August 10, 2010
by Heather Mayer, DOT med News Reporter

Neoprobe Begins Third Phase 3 Trial of Cancer Drug

With the help of some funding from the state of Ohio, Neoprobe Corp. (OTCBB: NEOP) has started enrollment in the third Phase 3 clinical trial of its cancer-detection drug Lymphoseek®.
     Lymphoseek® is a tracing agent that identifies cancerous lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer and melanoma.   The latest clinical trial is designed to further validate the drug.
     Neoprobe last month was awarded a $1 million Ohio Third Frontier grant to speed additional development of Lymphoseek®. The company hopes to eventually get approval to market the drug for the detection of head and neck cancers, and its latest clinical trial could help pave the way for that.
     Neoprobe hopes to launch Lymphoseek® in mid-2011 after filing a new drug application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this summer.
     The new Lymphoseek® clinical trial is expected to include about 150 patients spread across eight locations, according to the statement. Initial results of the trial are expected to be available in next year's first quarter.

Neoprobe Website

BNP Levels and SPECT

In an article e-published on April 12 ahead of print in Cardiology Research and Practice, Sir et al. from Inje University College of Medicine (Busan, South Korea) reported on a study designed to evaluate whether B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels add value to SPECT findings in patients with normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function. The study included data from 224 patients who underwent rest 201Tl-dipyridamole stress/99mTc-sestamibi- gated SPECT and coronary angiography because of chest pain. Patients with true-positive SPECT findings had signifcantly higher BNP levels than those with false positive defects. Patients with true-negative SPECT also showed significantly lower BNP levels than those with false-negative SPECT. An elevated BNP level (cutoff value of 23.0 pg/mL) was found to be both an independent and the strongest predictor of coronary artery disease over all patients and in those with positive SPECT. The authors concluded that these results suggest ''that BNP level has additive diagnostic value to SPECT findings in predicting coronary artery disease in patients with normal LV systolic function.''

--Cardiology Research and Practice

Reimbursement Info

On June 25, 2010, the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010 was signed into law. Section 101 of Pub. L. 111-192 provides for a 2.2 percent update to the 2010 Physician Fee Schedule effective for dates of service June 2, 2010 through November 30, 2010. This updated guide details the updated payment rates for procedures performed in the physician office/freestanding imaging setting for the period 6/2/2010-11/30/2010.

Code

Description

Physician Office / FSC Medicare Part B

Payment Unadjusted for Geography**

6/02/2010-11/30/2010¹

Medicare Hospital

Outpatient Payment

as of 1/1/20102

Unadjusted for

Geography**

Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Professional Technical

78451*	Myocardial perfusion imaging: tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); single study at rest or stress (exercise or pharmacologic)	$68	$252	Assigned to APC 377 with a payment rate of $775
78452*	Myocardial perfusion imaging: tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); multiple studies at rest and/or stress (exercise or pharmacologic) and/or redistribution and/or rest re-injection	$80	$369	Assigned to APC 377 with a payment rate of $775
78453*	Myocardial perfusion imaging planar (including qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); single study at rest and/or stress (exercise or pharmacologic	$50	$226	Assigned to APC 377 with a payment rate of $775
78454*	Myocardial perfusion imaging planar (including qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); multiple studies at rest or stress (exercise or pharmacologic) and/or redistribution and/or rest re-injection	$66	$326	Assigned to APC 377 with a payment rate of $775

Code	Description	Physician Office / FSC Medicare Part B Payment Unadjusted for Geography 6/01/2010-11/30/2010¹**	Medicare Hospital Outpatient Payment as of 1/1/20102 Unadjusted for Geography**
CV Stress		Global Payment
93015	Cardiovascular stress test; with physician supervision, with interpretation and report	$94	N/A
93016	Cardiovascular stress test; physician supervision only, without interpretation and report	$24	N/A
93017	Cardiovascular stress test; tracing only	$54
93018	Cardiovascular stress test; interpretation and report only	$16	N/A

CPT only © 2009 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
*New codes for 2010, replaces code series 78460-78465, 78478 and 78480
**Actual Medicare allowables vary by region of the country.
142 CFR Parts 410, 411, 414 et al. Medicare Program; Payment Policies under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Part B for CY 2010
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26502.pdf and American College of Radiology website Physician Payment Cut Delayed
http://www.acr.org/HomePageCategories/News/ACRNewsCenter/PhysicianPaymentCutDelayed2010.aspx
242 CFR Parts 410, 416, and 419 Medicare Program: Changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and CY 2010 Payment Rates
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26499.pdf

2010 Code and Description Published

Verbatim from Medicare's Internet Site3

2010 Medicare Part B Payment1**

2010 Medicare

Hospital Outpatient

Payment2

99m Tc Sestamibi

A9500-Technetium Tc99m Sestamibi, diagnostic

per study dose

Invoice or Allowable

Assigned status of "N"

payment packaged

into procedure

Tl201

A9505-Thallium Tl 201 Thallous Chloride, diagnostic per millicurie (mCi)

Invoice or Allowable

Assigned status of "N"

payment packaged

into procedure

Fine Tune Your 78452, 78454 Skills With Documentation Know How

Watch for the pharse 'when performed' to keep denial-causing codes off your claim.

Master which codes you should - and shouldn't - report alongside these myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) codes and understand why thorough documentation is still a must, even when it won't change your coding.

Subtract Add-On Codes From MPI Claims

Aside from the SPECT/planar difference, these codes' definitions are the same, stating they include 'qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed';

78452 - Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technque, additional quantification, when performed0; multiple studies, at rest and/or stress (exercise or pharmacologic) and/or redistribution and/or rest reinjection
78454 - Myocardial perfusion imaging, planar (including qualitative and quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed0; multiple studies, at rest and/or stress (exercise or pharmacologic) and/or redistribution and/or rest reinjection.

Crucial: Heed the two words "when performed," which indicate the codes are appropriate whether the physician provides those services or not, say Cynthia A. Swanson, RN, CPC, CEMC, CHC, senior manager, healthcare consulting, at Seim Johnson in Omaha, Neb. And if the radiologist does perform those services, you should not code them separately.

This is a major change from 2009, when you whold have reported those services with codes such as the now deleted +78478 (Myocardial perfusion study with wall motion, qualitative or quantitative study...) and +78480 (Myocardial perfusion study with ejection fraction...)

Opportunity: Although 78452 and 78454 do include many services, you should continue to report the stress test (93015-93018, Cardiovascular stress test...), the stress-inducing agent (such as Lexiscan, J2785, Injection, regadenson, ).1 mg), and radiopharmaceuticals (such as A9500, Technetium, Tc-99m sestamibi, diagnostic, per study dose) if you provide them.

Dig Into 78452, 78454 Documentation Do's

Although performing wall motion and ejection fraction services won't change your physician's reimbursement, that doesn't mean she shouldn't document the services. "Best practice is to routinely document all services provided." says Swanson. "The new 2010 codes (78452 and 78454) include a detailed definition of each service as it relates to myocardial perfusion imaging services. By documenting the various components of testing performed, the medical record will accurately support the service(s) provided to coincide with the CPT code selected."

Reasons for needing thorough documenation include "the medical record serving as a legal document, information regarding the patient's care, evidence of service(s) provided in defense of insurance fraud or malpractice, support for levels of care and support for services performed to payers," Swanson says.

Categorize 78452, 78454 as Multiple Studies

As stated in Part 1, 78452 and 78454 are specific to multiple-study MPI. CPT also provides single-study codes:

SPECT: 78451 - Myocardial perfusion imaging, tomographic (SPECT) (including attenuation correction, qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); single study, at rest or stress (exercise or pharmacologic)
Planar: 78453 - Myocardial perfusion imaging, planar (including qualitative or quantitative wall motion, ejection fraction by first pass or gated technique, additional quantification, when performed); single study, at rest or stress (exercise or pharmacologic).

So if the radiologist performs and documents only a single study, such as at-rest only, you should report 78451 or 78453 rather than 78452 or 78454.

---Radiology Coding Alert

V/Q and Patient Position

In an article in the March issue of Anesthesiology reported on a study using dual-tracer SPECT to determine whether ventilation, lung perfusion, and ventilation-to-perfusion (V/Q) ratios in anesthetized and mechanically ventilated patients are gravity dependent regardless of whether the patients are supine or prone. The study was performed in 7 healthy volunteers, each of whom was studied under general anesthesia and again during controlled mechanical ventilation. Dorsal ventral and perfusion distributions were studied in the supine and prone distributions. Dualtracer SPECT imaging was performed with 99mTc-technegas and 113mIn-labeled macroaggregates of human albumin. The authors found that position made no difference in ventilation; however, perfusion was more uniform across different lung regions in the prone position, especially during mechanical ventilation. They concluded that ''this results in a tendency toward lower V/Q gradients in the ventral to dorsal direction in prone compared with supine posture.''

---Anesthesiology

Cheese for Gastric Emptying Study

A recent article in the PubMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine evaluated the labeling stability of several alternative meals that could be used to perform solid-phase gastric emptying study. Cooked egg whites labeled with technetium-99m sulfur colloid served as a control. Packaged instant oatmeal and instant mashed potatoes were prepared by adding hot water. Cheddar cheese was melted. Peanut butter was added to bread. The different meals were mixed with technetium-99m sulfur colloid (2.2-3.7 MBq), chopped into small pieces and placed in a glass tube containing gastric juice. The percentage of initial radioactivity remaining with the meal of admixture with gastric juice was measured and the average of the two samples was taken. For egg whites and cheese, there was no significant difference between the values at 1 and 4 h (P>0.8). Oatmeal and mashed potatoes had low and variable labeling stability and are not recommended.
Cheddar cheese provides an alternative meal comparable to egg whites for assessing solid gastric emptying in children. In view of the significant proportion of pediatric patients who refuse to eat scrambled eggs or have allergy to eggs, the availability of other meal choices is essential. The versatility of cheddar cheese, which can be added to macaroni or as a topping on pizza, makes it a useful alternative to labeled eggs.

---PubMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine

Guidelines for the Preparation of Select Tc-99m Radiopharmaceuticals
Helpful Hints for the Preparation of Select Tc-99m Radiopharmaceuticals

·    The desired number of particles for a lung perfusion study with MAA is 200,000 to 700,000 particles. Each vial contains 3.5 to 6.5 million particles, so the number of particles must be reduced by about 90 percent in order to prepare a unit dose of MAA. The easiest way to accomplish this is to add a volume of sodium chloride to reconstitute the particles (10 mL), then withdraw 90 percent of the volume (9 mL) and discard it. This leaves 350,000 to 650,000 particles remaining in the vial that may be labeled with enough Tc-99m Pertechnetate for one patient dose. A reduced number of particles is necessary for pediatric patients and patients with certain lung disorders including pulmonary hypertension.

·   MAA, following reconstitution, is a suspension of particles. Before withdrawing a dose from the vial the particles must be resuspended. The particles in a unit dose may also need to be resuspended if allowed to settle for a length of time.

·   Both Choletec and MAA have a tendency to foam when a volume of liquid is added to the vial.   This can make it difficult to draw the final patient dose. To minimize foaming, try adding volume slowly and down the inside of the vial.

·   Conserve Bulk Pertechnetate by adding no more than 25% more than the activity you need to draw the final patient dose. For example, add no more than 38 mCi to a DTPA kit for a 30-mCi dose.
·   Maintain negative pressure when working with radioactive materials in vials. After adding volume to the vial it is important to remove an equal or greater quantity of air from the vial. When the needle is removed from the vial, the pressure inside will be the same or less than the initial pressure. If the air is not removed, the excess pressure in the vial will expel any liquid that is near the top of the vial. Of course, this would contaminate the work area with radioactivity.

·   Always use sodium chloride that is preservative free. Preservatives or oxidants will oxidize pertechnetate and reduce labeling.

Product	Generic Name	Activity Limits	Volume	Storage	Expiration	Comments
DTPA	Pentetate	Up to 500 mCi	2-10 mL	2-25 °C	12 hours	Allow 15 minutes for labeling
MAA	Albumin Aggregated	20-50 mCi	2-8 mL	2-8 °C	6 hours	Resuspend particles before drawing dose
HDP	Oxidronate	Up to 300 mCi	3-6 mL	2-25 °C	8 hours
MDP	Medronate	Up to 500 mCi	2-10 mL	2-30 °C	6 hours
Choletec	Mebrofenin	Up to 100 mCi	1-5 ml	15-30 °C	18 hours	Allow 15 minutes for labeling

CE Opportunity

The Kentucky Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologists (KSNMT) has put together an excellent agenda for their Fall Seminar. Dr. Robert Atcher, past president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine, will speak about the current medical radioisotope supply situation; Cybil Nielsen, past president of the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologists Section, will speak about radiological incidents throughout the world; Dr. Cahid Civelek will speak about recent advances in nuclear medicine and how to reduce radiation exposure to patients; Denise White will present an update on billing and reimbursement; and Chris Carter and Jenny Lynch will speak about the current and future operations pertaining to the supply of PET drugs.

The date is Saturday, October 23^rd. The place is the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Louisville. And, the day offers 7 hours of CE credit.

FOR MORE INFO

Linearity Check

Radiopharmacy, Inc. has a Lineator for performing dose calibrator

linearity. The Lineator allows linearity to be performed in minutes rather than days. This equipment consists of a set of five lead tubes which are placed around a source of activity to simulate decay by shielding. When doing a linearity by decay method, it takes days to complete. This would mean that the loaner dose calibrator should not be used until the linearity is complete. By using a Lineator the linearity can be done in a much shorter amount of time, so the dose calibrator can be used almost immediately. Since linearity should be done according to the dose calibrator manufacturers recommendations, usually quarterly and upon installation, each time a substitute dose calibrator is used a linearity should be performed (geometry and accuracy should also be performed).
The Lineator is available for rent to all Radiopharmacy customers. The rental cost is $50.00/day, it should not be needed for more than one day. Hopefully this will be of assistance to some of you in performing linearity on existing dose calibrators and on any loaner dose calibrators.

Free Continuing Education

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

For Sale....Slightly used, heavily discounted

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.

Technologist Job Line

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.

Methodist Hospital is seeking a part-time technologist. The position would include some weekend shifts but no call at this time. Preference will be given to applicants already certified in Nuclear Medicine. Anyone interested can go to methodisthospital.net and submit an application.

Seeking Technologist position in local area: Karen Foncannon: 731-661-9287 Wk: 731-541-7866

Email: Karen.foncannon@hotmail.com

Radiopharmacy Services

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.

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.

Products and Services

Radiopharmaceuticals - Diagnostic and therapeutic
Radioactive Sealed Sources
Brachytherapy Sources (I-125 and Pd-103)
Lab Testing
Nuclear Medicine Department Computer Software,
Reimbursement Assistance
Continuing Education
Health Physics Consulting
ICANL and ACR Accreditation Assistance
Professional Consultation regarding radiopharmaceuticals and their clinical use.

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,

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

This communication is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is confidential, privileged, or otherwise exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient(s), the dissemination, distribution, or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy all copies of the original message and any attachments. Receipt by anyone other than the named recipient(s) does not constitute a waiver of any applicable privilege.