2016 Annual Associate Safety Modules Section 15 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Safety

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1 2016 Annual Associate Safety Modules Section 15 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Safety Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare is Committed to Your Safety

2 MRI s: The Missile Effect This very dramatic and dangerous phenomenon can occur when a metal object is pulled into the magnet with great force ( >20 mph). Fast flying metal objects are exceedingly dangerous to patients, personnel, and equipment. Many objects including wrenches, hammers, IV poles, oxygen bottles, crash carts, floor buffers, wheelchairs, tool boxes, stretchers, mop buckets even a policeman s handgun, have been involved in accidents

3 Twists and Pulls A more subtle effect can occur when metal objects may be pulled or twisted out of position. Internal injuries can result if this involves an implant, prosthesis, surgical staples, aneurysm clips, etc.

4 Don t be Taken by Surprise Be on guard not to be taken by surprise: The magnetic field is silent and invisible, but It is powerful...its acts suddenly and with great force...it is unforgiving of careless mistakes. The Magnet is NEVER OFF! Quote courtesy of GE

5 Restricted Areas All MRI scan areas are restricted areas. No one may enter without: The knowledge and supervision of the MRI staff, and Undergoing screening for metal objects No metal object can be taken in the room unless it is known to be safe

6 Screening Any person entering the MRI area must first be screened for metal objects. This applies to everyone: patients, friends, or family members accompanying the patient, and any hospital personnel entering the area. Screening includes metal objects that may be: In your pockets On your clothing In your hair Internal

7 What Needs to be Removed? Remove any metal objects from your pockets before entering. Keys, pens, pocket knives, paper clips, nail clippers, pins, scissors, stethoscopes, watches Pagers, earrings, hair clips, cell phones Radios, bobby pins, ID badges, ankle weights, steel toed work boots, In addition to metal objects, remove anything with magnetic data. ID badge Computer disks, cassette tapes ATM cards Credit cards

8 What Needs to be Removed? Electromechanical Hearing aids should not be brought into the scan room If you have a pacemaker, the scan room is strictly off limits! DO NOT ENTER! Internal Metal Objects (Medical or Other) Inform the MR staff if you have any internal metal objects as a result of surgery, accidents, military service (metal fragments or slivers) Artificial limbs, prostheses, metal pins or plates, surgical clips or staples, aneurysm clips, medically implanted devices

9 Patient Transport Upon arrival of a patient to the MRI waiting area: Do not take a patient directly into the scanning area The following cannot enter: Stretchers Wheelchairs IV poles Oxygen bottles Traction weights, etc.

10 Patient Transport/Waiting Notify the MR staff of patient arrival The MR staff will transfer the patient to the scan table

11 Environmental Services Remember not to take the following into the scan room Metal waste baskets Floor buffers Metal mop buckets If in doubt, ask the MR staff to check object with a hand magnet

12 Facility Services Similarly, be careful about: Hammers Wrenches Pliers Screwdrivers Tape measures Stepladders, etc.

13 After Hours Caution Magnets are never turned off Accidents have been known to happen when people entered after hours and have been taken by surprise

14 Respiratory Therapy and Anesthesiology Only anesthesia machines known to be MRI safe may be brought into the scan room (check the safety rating!!!) Oxygen bottles (or any other type of gas cylinders) must be aluminum. Standard oxygen bottles must not enter the scan room! They are categorically MRI Unsafe! A fatal accident occurred in 2001 involving an oxygen bottle!

15 Physical Therapy Objects of concern: Traction weights Wrist or ankle weights Don t send one made with steel shot or iron filings

16 EKG and Other Monitoring Equipment Special precautions are necessary regarding positioning of monitor leads: They should not touch the bore of the magnet They should not touch or cross each other They should not form a loop

17 Resuscitation In an Harvey Team situation Given the urgency of the situation, there will be no time for screening The crash cart, and members of the emergency response team MUST NOT enter the scan room The MRI technologist(s) will remove the patient from the scan room to a magnetically safe area

18 Fire Safety Do not let firemen go dashing into the room! Axes, fire extinguishers, air tanks, etc. can be pulled into the magnet! Incident: A fireman wearing an air tank got pulled in backwards! Have an MRI Safe fire extinguisher!