Facilities and equipment

Overview

Key considerations for RLT facility design

Designing an RLT facility requires careful planning around key elements like bathroom location, the layout of the hot lab and treatment room, and the potential need to intermittently repurpose the space for other uses.^1-3

These considerations depend on the radioisotopes used, patient volume, and existing infrastructure.^2,4 It's important to note that many existing facilities already possess much of the necessary infrastructure, or may require minimal shielding updates, making adaptation for RLT both feasible and efficient.^4-6

Streamlining patient and staff pathways

Clear physical separation with proper signage between hot zones (eg, hot lab, treatment rooms, decay space) and cold zones (eg, waiting areas and offices) keeps exposure risks low and the environment safe for everyone.^3,7

It's important to consider organizing pathways used by RLT patients in order to minimize radiation exposure to non-RLT patients and staff, limiting access to radiation areas and providing clear signage to ensure awareness and safety. Many existing layouts can be optimized with simple adjustments to meet these needs, easing the burden on stakeholders while maintaining compliance.^3,6,7

Future-proofing for emerging therapies

Consider future-proofing the facility by over engineering to accommodate growth, such as emerging therapies, new potential indications, and expanding imaging needs that may require possession of more radiation, necessitating additional safety measures such as lead or concrete walls, larger rooms, and more bathrooms.^1,4,6 This forward-thinking approach enables long-term flexibility while leveraging current infrastructure to support immediate RLT needs.⁵