Methodist Hospital for Surgery MRI Safety Training

MRI Safety Training MRI use is on the rise and so is the number of adverse incidents. There has been a 185% increase in accidents in the last 5 years. While the numbers of incidents are small compared to the number of procedures performed, even one incident can kill a patient or staff member.

MRI Safety Training Question: Why is the MRI Scanning Suite so dangerous? Answer: The magnet is always “on”. The magnet is a super cooled, superconducting magnet that is always active. This means that even if you do not hear a noise coming from the scanner room, the magnet is still on. The magnet is very strong. The field is 25,000 times stronger than the earth’s magnetic field and is similar to magnets used to lift cars in junkyards.

Facts to Remember Never enter the MRI Station or Scanning Suite without being escorted by a member of the Imaging team. Never take any kind of metal into the MRI Scanning Suite. The MRI compatible equipment has been specifically designed for this room. What about fire extinguishers? Are they MRI compatible? Only the 3 white fire extinguishers located by Imaging are compatible. Examples of non MRI compatible equipment include: O2 Tanks Wheelchairs Patient walkers Patient bed Red fire extinguishers

Facts to Remember EVS personnel and their equipment are not allowed in the magnet room (Scanning Suite). The MRI Technologist is responsible for the cleaning of the scanner room.

Imaging Department Zones The different “zones” around the Imaging Department are designed for your protection in compliance with the American College of Radiology’s recommendation of safe practice. ZONE I: Main Corridor Outside the MRI Environment GENERAL PUBLIC ACCESS ZONE II: MRI Patient Screening and Preparation MRI PATIENT ACCESS: All patient screenings are done in this area prior to the actual scan. Also serves as inpatient holding room. This is the designated area where patients experiencing an emergent situation are taken for care.

Imaging Department Zones ZONE III: MRI Station (Pre scan room area) RESTRICTED ACCESS: No one is to enter this area without being accompanied by an Imaging team member. ZONE IV: Scanning Suite RESTRICTED ACCESS: Only full time MRI staff have access. No personnel shall, under any circumstances, enter this area unless they’re instructed to do so by an Imaging member.

Magnetic Field Hazards 1. Projectile (a.k.a. Missile) Effect A term referring to the ability of an MRI scanner to dangerously attract ferromagnetic iron-based materials – which are core structural components of fire extinguishers, carts, wheelchairs, and hospital beds – due to the scanner’s high-strength magnets. These projectile objects can become dangerous projectiles and kill. Even paper clips and hairpins can reach speeds of 40 mph. Examples of ferromagnetic objects include:

Magnetic Field Hazards 1. Projectile (a.k.a. Missile) Effect

Magnetic Field Hazards 2. Twisting Effect Magnetic cochlear implants and cerebral aneurysm clips can twist within the body causing damage. This can be fatal. Magnetic components can rip loose from their foundation on equipment causing device failure or patient injury. 3. Burns (generally caused by heating of electrically conductive material inside the bore of the magnet) Looped and unlooped electrocardiogram leads, pulse oximeter cables, and MR accessories in contact with a patient under sedation can cause full thickness burns, some requiring plastic surgery. Skin burns have resulted at sites where pulse oximeter sensors and ECG electrodes have touched the patient’s skin. Skin burns have resulted from conductive loops formed with the patient’s body (e.g., patient’s finger touched their thigh; patient’s arms were crossed; patient’s thighs were touching).

MRI Safety Remember… The MRI Magnet is ALWAYS On! Never enter the magnet room (Scanning Suite) without being escorted by a member of the Imaging team. Never take any kind of metal into the Scanning Suite.