Official websites use .gov
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
Safety in the MR environment: ferromagnetic projectile objects in the MRI scanner room
Safety in the MR environment: ferromagnetic projectile objects in the MRI scanner room
- Collection:
- Health Policy and Services Research
- Series Title(s):
- Pennsylvania patient safety advisory
- Contributor(s):
- Pennsylvania. Patient Safety Authority.
ECRI (Organization)
Institute for Safe Medication Practices. - Publication:
- [Harrisburg, Pa.] : Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, c2009
- Language(s):
- English
- Format:
- Text
- Subject(s):
- Accident Prevention
Accidents
Equipment Safety -- standards
Magnetic Resonance Imaging -- adverse effects
Magnetics
United States - Genre(s):
- Technical Report
- Abstract:
- The static magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner exerts forces on ferromagnetic and other magnetic materials near the field. These forces can draw unrestrained objects, making them airborne, into the scanner's magnet bore. This phenomenon is known as the projectile effect and can result in catastrophic consequences for individuals near the scanner and significant damage to equipment. To avoid serious or fatal injury from projectiles, magnetic resonance (MR) personnel must understand the principles of the projectile effect and properly screen individuals before entering the scanner room for ferromagnetic objects. In some cases, medical equipment needed in the scanner room for patient assessment or treatment (e.g., physiologic monitor, infusion pump) could also pose projectile risks. Additionally, the static magnetic field may cause medical equipment to malfunction, which may result in serious or fatal patient injury. MR personnel must know what equipment is safe to allow into the scanner room and what equipment is unsafe and should be left out of the room. Between June 2004 and December 2008, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority received 27 reports of objects becoming projectiles in the MR environment, 16 ferromagnetic items that were brought into the MRI scanner room without becoming projectiles, and 5 ferromagnetic items almost allowed into the MRI scanner room. Proper MR screening practices for ferromagnetic items and establishing protocols for identifying and labeling equipment that can and cannot be brought into the scanner room will help reduce the risk of objects becoming projectiles within the MR environment.
- Copyright:
- Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-DC license. (More information)
- Illustrations:
- Illustrations
- NLM Unique ID:
- 101563474 (See catalog record)
- Permanent Link:
- http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101563474