The COVID-19 crisis has forced nuclear medicine departments to cancel appointments, change procedures and protocols and adapt rapidly to significant changes. Nuclear medicine technologists are often on the front lines, working and communicating directly with their patients. To provide guidance to the community, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging–Technologist Section interviewed eight nuclear medicine technologists from around the country. The group answered 13 questions, on topics including:

  • How should staffing protocols and schedules be revised?
  • What measures should technologists take to stay safe?
  • What should technologists do in the face of furloughs, layoffs, reassignment, reductions in hours, or other mandated changes in status?
  • What procedures are essential?
  • How can technologists prepare their department so they are ready to go once the crisis passes?

Read the full article from the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology.

Featured image: This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like. Credit: NIAID-RML