The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) completed their annual inspection of the University’s radioactive materials license during the week of October 21, 2019. A team of two inspectors spent the better part of three days reviewing radioactive material use at the University of Iowa, including UIHC. The inspection covered the preparation and administration of radioactive material doses to patients, policies and procedures, radioactive material security practices, and use of radioactive material in research laboratories. There is a myriad of special requirements for the use of radioactive materials, and meeting these requirements is dependent upon sustained diligence from end users, management, and administration.
Several University faculty and staff took part in the inspection, and we offer our upmost thanks to them, as well as to all individuals working with radioactive materials and radiation producing equipment. The University received a favorable inspection report from IDPH. It is important to understand that the University has a single radioactive materials license; therefore, the actions of a single individual or group can affect everyone’s privilege to work under this license. As such, many hospital and University staff are to be commended for adhering to the license conditions as well as the many regulations and policies that govern the use of these materials and equipment.