When: Starting this week through November. (One of VUMC’s three suppliers is expecting to obtain about 30% of normal operating capacity in mid-November.)
What this means to you: Nuclear medicine schedules are currently limited as we work to procure doses for currently scheduled patients. The global shortage of technetium significantly impacts high activity doses, including cardiac stress tests and bone scans.
Daily mitigation strategy: We ask your help to maximize the use of Tc-99m each day and provide service for as many patients as possible. Therefore:
- Reschedule non-urgent studies after Nov. 18 when appropriate for the patient’s care.
- Contact Philip Scherer, Nuclear Medicine Section Chief and Medical Director for Nuclear Medicine, Community Radiology (pager: 615-835-8156) or the administrator on call (615-835-4981) for guidance on alternative diagnostic options for your patients.
Thank you for your patience as the Medical Center navigates this unexpected and unavoidable shortage. Updates will be provided as this situation progresses.
