MRI Safety Policy

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SAFETY POLICY

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines generate a very strong magnetic field within and surrounding the MR scanner. This magnetic field is always on and unsecured. Magnetically susceptible (ferromagnetic) materials even at a distance can become accelerated into the bore of the magnet with force sufficient enough to cause serious injury or damage to equipment, patient, and any personnel in its path. Therefore, great care is taken to prevent ferromagnetic objects from entering the MRI scanner room. It is the qualified MR personnel, especially the technologist’s responsibility to control all access to the scanner room.

• As a program student, you too become part of this team adhering and obligated to all MRI safety policies and procedures and will review an MRI Safety Video covering these safety policies and procedures prior to starting your clinical training.
• It is vital that you remove metallic objects before entering the MRI static magnetic field, including watches, jewelry, and items of clothing that have metallic threads or fasteners.
• If you have a bullet, shrapnel, or similar metallic fragment in your body, there is a potential risk that it could change position, possibly causing injury.
• Also, the magnetic field of the scanner can damage an external hearing aid or cause a heart pacemaker to malfunction.
• History of any surgical procedure that entails implanted electronic device(s), or any implant within/on your body you were not naturally born with will need to be reviewed prior to clinical training.
• Detailed MRI Policies will be covered upon entrance to the program in August of each year and prior to specialty rotations.
• An MRI Screening Protocol Form will be filled out & submitted for review prior to clinical training.