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Aplicação do Controlo Estatístico do Processo para a Monitorização da Exposição Ocupacional num Serviço de Medicina Nuclear
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Ao longo das últimas décadas, a técnica de imagem híbrida PET/CT consolidou-se
como uma das ferramentas mais relevantes da imagiologia oncológica. Contudo, a ampla disseminação desta tecnologia trouxe consigo um desafio alarmante: a exposição ocupacional dos
profissionais de saúde à radiação ionizante.
A proximidade frequente destes profissionais a doentes submetidos a radiofármacos
aumenta o risco de absorção de doses significativas de radiação, com potencial para gerar efeitos biológicos adversos. Para mitigar estes riscos, a legislação nacional e europeia, estabelece
normas específicas de radioprotecção, que incluem a monitorização regular dos débitos de
dose e a classificação dos locais de trabalho em zonas controladas ou vigiadas.
Apesar das normas existentes, a monitorização contínua e sistemática das doses em
serviços de Medicina Nuclear é complexa, e a aplicação de ferramentas estatísticas para a otimização da proteção ocupacional permanece ainda pouco explorada. Este estudo surge, assim,
para preencher essa lacuna, demonstrando o papel do Controlo Estatístico do Processo (SPC)
como instrumento de apoio à monitorização e gestão da exposição à radiação ocupacional. O
trabalho foi desenvolvido na Unidade Local de Saúde de Almada-Seixal, com foco em duas
salas críticas do Centro de Responsabilidade Integrado de Medicina Nuclear. Foram aplicadas
cartas de controlo com os objetivos de: (1) monitorizar e caracterizar o comportamento diário
dos débitos de dose no ambiente das salas; (2) validar a veracidade das suas atuais classificações; e (3) identificar oportunidades de redução do risco de exposição, incluindo a possibilidade de reclassificação das áreas como zonas vigiadas.
Os resultados obtidos mostraram que o SPC permite uma monitorização mais rigorosa
e sensível a desvios, contribuindo para a melhoria da classificação das salas e para uma gestão
mais segura e eficiente da exposição à radiação ionizante.
Over the past few decades, the hybrid imaging technique PET/CT has established itself as one of the most important tools in oncologic imaging. However, the widespread adoption of this technology has brought with it an alarming challenge: the occupational exposure of healthcare professionals to ionizing radiation. The frequent proximity of these professionals to patients administered with radiophar- maceuticals increases the risk of absorbing significant doses of radiation, with the potential to cause adverse biological effects. To mitigate these risks, national and European legislation set out specific radioprotection standards, which include regular monitoring of dose rates and the classification of workplaces into controlled or supervised areas. Despite the existing regulations, continuous and systematic monitoring of doses in Nu- clear Medicine departments is complex, and the use of statistical tools to optimize occupational protection remains underexplored. This study therefore aims to fill that gap, demonstrating the role of Statistical Process Control (SPC) as a tool to support the monitoring and management of occupational radiation exposure. The work was carried out at the Almada-Seixal Local Health Unit, focusing on two critical rooms of the Integrated Responsibility Center for Nuclear Medicine. Control charts were applied with the objectives of: (1) monitoring and characterizing the daily behavior of dose rates in the room environment; (2) validating the accuracy of their current classifications; and (3) identifying opportunities to reduce exposure risk, including the possibility of reclassifying the areas as supervised zones. The results showed that SPC allows for more rigorous monitoring and greater sensitivity to deviations, contributing to the improvement of room classification and to safer and more efficient management of exposure to ionizing radiation.
Over the past few decades, the hybrid imaging technique PET/CT has established itself as one of the most important tools in oncologic imaging. However, the widespread adoption of this technology has brought with it an alarming challenge: the occupational exposure of healthcare professionals to ionizing radiation. The frequent proximity of these professionals to patients administered with radiophar- maceuticals increases the risk of absorbing significant doses of radiation, with the potential to cause adverse biological effects. To mitigate these risks, national and European legislation set out specific radioprotection standards, which include regular monitoring of dose rates and the classification of workplaces into controlled or supervised areas. Despite the existing regulations, continuous and systematic monitoring of doses in Nu- clear Medicine departments is complex, and the use of statistical tools to optimize occupational protection remains underexplored. This study therefore aims to fill that gap, demonstrating the role of Statistical Process Control (SPC) as a tool to support the monitoring and management of occupational radiation exposure. The work was carried out at the Almada-Seixal Local Health Unit, focusing on two critical rooms of the Integrated Responsibility Center for Nuclear Medicine. Control charts were applied with the objectives of: (1) monitoring and characterizing the daily behavior of dose rates in the room environment; (2) validating the accuracy of their current classifications; and (3) identifying opportunities to reduce exposure risk, including the possibility of reclassifying the areas as supervised zones. The results showed that SPC allows for more rigorous monitoring and greater sensitivity to deviations, contributing to the improvement of room classification and to safer and more efficient management of exposure to ionizing radiation.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
SPC Cartas de Controlo Medicina Nuclear PET/CT Exposição Ocupacional