Section 1720. Written directives

A. A written directive shall be dated and signed by an authorized user before the administration of I-131 sodium iodide greater than 30 microcuries (µCi) (1.11 megabecquerels (MBq)), any therapeutic dose of unsealed radioactive material, or any therapeutic dose of radiation from radioactive material.

If, because of the emergent nature of the patient's condition, a delay in order to provide a written directive would jeopardize the patient's health, an oral directive is acceptable. The information contained in the oral directive shall be documented as soon as possible in writing in the patient's record. A written directive shall be prepared within 48 hours of the oral directive.

B. The written directive shall contain the patient or human research subject's name and the following information:

1. For any administration of quantities greater than 30 µCi (1.11 MBq) of sodium iodide (I-131): the dosage;

2. For an administration of a therapeutic dosage of unsealed radioactive material other than sodium iodide (I-131): the radioactive drug, dosage, and route of administration;

3. For gamma stereotactic radiosurgery: the total dose, treatment site, and values for the target coordinate settings per treatment for each anatomically distinct treatment site;

4. For teletherapy: the total dose, dose per fraction, number of fractions, and treatment site;

5. For high dose-rate remote afterloading brachytherapy: the radionuclide, treatment site, dose per fraction, number of fractions, and total dose; or

6. For all other brachytherapy, including low, medium and pulsed dose rate remote afterloaders:

a. Before implantation: treatment site, the radionuclide, and dose; and

b. After implantation but before completion of the procedure: the radionuclide, treatment site, number of sources, and total source strength and exposure time (or the total dose).

C. A written revision to an existing written directive may be made if the revision is dated and signed by an authorized user before the administration of the dosage of radioactive drug containing radioactive material, the brachytherapy dose, the gamma stereotactic radiosurgery dose, the teletherapy dose, or the next fractional dose.

If, because of the patient's condition, a delay in order to provide a written revision to an existing written directive would jeopardize the patient's health, an oral revision to an existing written directive is acceptable. The oral revision shall be documented as soon as possible in the patient's record. A revised written directive shall be signed by the authorized user within 48 hours of the oral revision.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.