BRIKENA VUÇAJ , KOZETA TUSHE, DRITAN PRIFTI, ZELIHA MUÇO
Abstract
This paper presents the decommissioning process of a diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine department located within “Mother Thresa” University Hospital Center. This department, operated for several years and served as the sole public provider of nuclear medicine services in the country, using radionuclides based on iodine-131 and technetium-99m. Following the relocation of all clinical services to a newly constructed Hospital, a comprehensive radiation monitoring was conducted as part of the clearance protocol. Gamma dose rate measurements, alpha and beta contamination checks and swipe tests were performed across all clinical and storage areas. The results indicated no presence of contamination above national and international clearance levels. This paper provides a practical case study on the safe closure and radiological assessment of a nuclear medicine facility and may serve as a guideline for similar future activities in diagnostic imaging and radionuclide therapy services.
Key words: Decommissioning, nuclear medicine, radionuclides, clearance levels, radiological assessment.