Proficiency test of 90Y and 89Sr activity measurements in Polish hospitals

The Radioisotope Centre POLATOM organized a proficiency test of activity measurements of 90Y and 89Sr with nuclear medicine departments in Polish hospitals. Radioactive solutions used in this exercise were standardized by the TDCR method using the measurement systems of the National Standard of Radionuclides Activity in Poland. Results were analysed in compliance with ISO/IEC 17043:2010 (ISO, 2010) by calculating z scores and ζ (zeta) scores. The overall performance of the participants varied significantly. The sources of errors appeared to be the values of the calibration factor used during activity assay and the underestimation of uncertainties by the participants. - Highlights: • RC POLATOM organized proficiency testing of 90Y and 89Sr activity measurements. • Only 14 of the invited 52 Polish hospitals participated in the exercise. • Only 24% of the results were considered as in agreement with the reference value. • Primary source of discrepant results was value of calibration factor used. • Participants were faced with difficulties in making uncertainty estimates