In talking with regulators, some have said that veterinary facilities treating cats with Iodine-131 are one of the most non-compliant licensees.  Why is this perceived to be so?  The veterinary hospital is busy, hectic, and fast moving.  Sometimes, tasks get overlooked.   It is important to identify one of your dependable Authorized User to be the records holder.  With several Authorized Users doing tasks, some things may be dropped.  So, identify one person who has the task of record keeping as his/her PRIMARY job.  Also, most veterinary hospitals perform their own bioassay checks on their Authorized Users for thyroid uptakes.  Some may have the local nuclear pharmacy perform that for them (for a fee).  These bioassays are taken periodically and continuously throughout the function o:f the treatment of cats.  The minimum uptake bioassay analyses are performed as follows:

• INITIAL  Before the person begins to treat cats
• POST INJECTION  Veterinarian and tech who directly inject the cat are go obtain a bioassay within 48-72 hours post injection
• QUARTERLY  All Authorized Users to support the treatment room and maintain the cats’ care
• POST EMPLOYMENT  When the Authorized User leaves the hospital for other employment

This is the hardest one to obtain, especially when the person leaves abruptly or under unexpected circumstances.  However, it’s still a mandatory requirement to obtain,  So, how can this be done?  It is recommended that during the hiring process that the Authorized User/Veterinarian sign in their employment agreement that they UNDERSTAND THAT A POST-EMPLOYMENT BIOASSAY IS REQUIRED.   And, that their final paycheck will be held until this post bioassay is obtained.  If the hospital still has not obtained the post-bioassay analysis and the person has forfeited their final paycheck, the RSO should mail a letter to the person at their last known address CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED of their need to return and have a final bioassay obtained.  If the letter is returned UNCLAIMED, then the RSO should simply file in the dosimetry file explaining that it was the best effort that could be performed.  This effort may mitigate any violation that may be issued.