Technetium scans
Technetium (Tc-99m) is an isotope commonly used in a number of medical diagnostic imaging scans.
Tc99m is used as a radioactive tracer for nuclear medicine; which is a form of medical imaging that assesses how particular parts of our body are working or functioning. Doctors or trained nuclear medicine health professionals will administer Tc-99m radiotracers to patients before a diagnostic test, usually by injection, to help diagnose medical conditions.
As the half-life of Tc-99m is only six hours, it does not stay in the human body long. Nuclear medicine scans are safe and are a widely used imaging test.
Australia-wide Tc-99m shortage
Australia is currently experiencing a shortage of Tc-99m due to a mechanical failure at Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) facility.
This shortage is affecting all medical facilities (public and private) in Australia, and it is unclear how long it will last.
ANSTO are undertaking measures to source supplies from overseas to supplement limited resources in Australia. The Department of Health WA is working with stakeholders to best manage this issue locally.
Note: This shortage does not impact medical imaging scans such as standard x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds and MRIs.
What does the shortage mean for patients?
The Tc-99m shortage will affect the volume of scans that can be undertaken until supply resumes.
Scans are therefore being prioritised based on clinical need. This prioritisation will allow limited Tc-99m resources to be appropriately allocated. Scans that will be most impacted are skeletal and myocardial scans.
Patient care and safety is our priority and patients will continue to receive high-quality healthcare, with every effort made to minimise patient impact.
Your doctor, and the relevant nuclear medicine experts (either at a hospital or private clinic), will work together to determine if alternative diagnostic scans are appropriate.
If your scan is non-urgent, it may be deferred and rescheduled. Scans may also be brought forward to ensure optimal use of available resources – patients are asked to accommodate these changes where possible.
Patients with concerns are asked to speak to their healthcare provider.
Note: This shortage does not impact medical imaging scans such as standard x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds and MRIs.
What diagnostic scans use Tc-99m?
Tc-99m is the preferred tracer for a number of scans used in medicine worldwide to help diagnose medical conditions.
Tc-99m scans are used to detect a wide range of conditions including injuries, infections, tumours, heart disease, thyroid abnormalities, kidney conditions and also to guide some cancer procedures.
Common scans include:
- bone
- heart
- lung
- kidney (renal)
- brain
- white cells
- thyroid
- lymph nodes.
Tc-99m is also widely used in research projects and specialised medical studies.
Where to get help
Patients with concerns are asked to speak to their healthcare provider.