On February 14, 2008, The Joint Commission issued a Sentinel Event Alert that urges hospitals and ambulatory care centers to pay special attention to preventing accidents and injuries that can occur during MRI scans. More than 10 million MRI, or MR, scans are done in the United States each year and while the capabilities of the MRI scanner are well-recognized, its inherent dangers may not be as well known. The Joint Commission's Sentinel Event Database now includes five MRI-related cases that have resulted in four deaths.
Over the years, JCR has developed solutions to help organizations address MRI safety. The following is a selection of resources that can be used to help educate your organization on this important topic.
Previously Aired Audio Conference
MRI Suite Safety Challenges
MRI suites hold unique dangers for patients and staff. Today's high-strength clinical MRI scanners are up to 60,000 times the strength of the Earth's own ambient magnetic field. While exposure to magnetic energies has shown no harmful biological effects - there are still many accidents and incidents that jeopardize the safety of patients in the MRI suite. The proliferation of MRI equipment and significant increases in both magnet strength and spatial gradients have significantly increased the number of accidents occurring in the MRI suite. Each accident and close call puts patients and staff at risk. Purchase this previously aired audio conference to hear Tobias Gilk, a leading pioneer in MRI safety, as he discusses MRI Suite Safety Challenges. To order, click here
MRI Safety Articles
Evaluating MRI Safety for Specific Populations: Preparing for Pediatric, Geriatric, and Acute Patients
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Working Together to Improve MRI Safety: Involving Staff from Clinical, Operational, and Facility Disciplines To order this article, click here.
Technology: PET/CT and Patient Safety
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Reducing the Risk of Errors Involving Digital Imaging
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To read Sentinel Event Alert #38, "Preventing accidents and injuries in the MRI suite," click here.