FINAL DRAFT 9/6/95
UPDATED NOV. 1996
Narrative
General Considerations
Current Directions:
Nuclear Medicine is a diagnostic and
therapeutic supporting service that utilizes
radionuclides for in-vitro testing (bench work)
and
in-vivo
functional
determinations,
treatment and/or creation and interpretation.
Patient diagnostic procedures require the
introduction of a radiotracer, most often by
means of intravenous injection.
The Gamma Camera, which is capable of
rapid sequential imaging and tomographic
imaging, detects emitted rays.
The process is particularly useful for
assembling quantitative functional information
on organs (such as the kidney, heart, brain,
and, thyroid gland), systems (such as urinary,
gastrointestinal tract), and processes (such as
infection, impaired circulation, malignancies,
etc.).
Future Trends:
The development of digital gamma
camera systems that interface with hospital
information systems will allow departments
within the hospital and clusters of local
hospitals to have access to patient data.
The expansion of telecommunication
nuclear networks with tertiary missions will
result in the affiliate (satellite) sites being
located in smaller inpatient and ambulatory
care facilitates that are closer to the patient's
residence.
The prevalence of film-less nuclear
imaging services, like Picture Archiving
Systems, will eliminate the need for film
developers, lightrooms, and darkrooms.
VA DESIGN GUIDE
NUCLEAR MEDICINE SERVICE
PAGE 2-1
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