Medical Applications

Radioactive sources are routinely used to diagnose and treat illness in hospitals, health centres, research laboratories and more around the world. Worldwide, more than 10,000 radiation therapy units for cancer treatment are in use, and several thousand medical, blood and research facilities containing radioactive sources are in operation.

Despite their many beneficial uses, high activity radioactive sources pose serious risk. If the capsule in which a source is sealed should be damaged or removed, the material contained within it could contaminate the surrounding environment and expose individuals to harmful levels of radiation. Here is guidance that could help you reduce the risk.

Medical Applications

WINS Best Practice Guides

Security of Radioactive Sources in Medical Applications

This WINS International Best Practice Guide focuses on some of the basic principles, issues and considerations for the security of radioactive sources in medical applications. The Guide discusses some concepts including threat assessment and risk management, security culture and continual improvement; the categories and characteristics of different radioactive sources; explains some basic principles of security systems and how to implement a security programme that helps protect radioactive sources from theft and sabotage.

Security of Radioactive Sources: Regulatory Practices

This WINS International Best Practice Guide provides a comprehensive review of regulatory oversight for the security of radioactive sources. This Guide addresses the performance of regulatory functions, organisation and management, human resource development, communications, coordination and cooperation. Many of the best practices identified for these topics apply to the regulatory body generally although the security aspects of these topics are highlighted as relevant. In addition, the Guide addresses several further regulatory topics that are specific to the security of radioactive sources.

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WINS Best Practice Guides

WINS Performance and Evaluation Series

Peer Review Guidelines to Assess the Security of Radioactive Sources Used in Medical Applications

The overall objective of this document is to provide a framework for conducting an effective peer review of the security of radioactive sources in a healthcare facility. To achieve this objective, the publication describes an approach to the planning, execution and reporting of peer reviews that take place among healthcare facilities on a reciprocal basis. However, most of the processes and guidance provided here would apply equally well to an external team specifically assembled for a review.

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WINS Performance and Evaluation Series

Medical Uses Infosheet

Healthcare providers around the world use radioactive devices and sources to provide lifesaving care. To benefit from their lifesaving uses, healthcare facilities need to protect these radioactive sources from theft and sabotage.

This infosheet introduces these uses, related security concepts and relevant WINS resources.

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Medical Uses Infosheet