Radiotherapy Department General Advice
This section has been extracted from the “ISRRT Response
Document-appropriate and safe use of Medical Imaging and Radiation
Therapy with infection control measures considered in addition to
standard radiation protection procedures. April 2020”. It is
available on the ISRRT Website (https://www.isrrt.org/full-guideline-protective-measures). It is edited and compiled by A.Stewart Whitley,
Director of Professional
Practice - International Society of Radiographers and Radiological
Technologists(ISRRT) following valuable input from many radiography
expert contributors.
2. Patient consideration
- Explore remote monitoring of patients via telephone or video conferencing and follow up on those who are vulnerable and need support
- Contact new patients ahead of first appointments to screen patients on symptoms, temperature, travel history and risk of exposure
- Daily screening process should be in place to screen all patients and accompanying family member before entering the radiotherapy clinic
- If patient is found to have fever or high risk to exposure during screening, to isolate patient in a separate room and assess by doctor/nurse to determine if patient’s condition is related to cancer treatment. If patients’ fever and respiratory symptoms not related to cancer treatment or condition. Please follow the hospital guidelines for action
- Request patients to attend appointments without accompany person. If not, limit to maximum one accompanying person per patient
- Advise patients on treatment to inform staff if they have fever or respiratory symptoms before coming for treatment
- Encourage patient hand-washing / sanitizing prior to entry into the treatment room
- Encourage patient to wear mask when coming in for treatment