MRI Safety Course Module 1 –Patient Screening

Learning Objective #1 The student will be able to describe in detail the patient screening process, contraindications of the procedure and precautions prior to the start of the procedure – List screening procedures for patients, personnel and equipment.

Patient Screening All individuals including patients, technologists, ancilliary staff members who enter the MRI suite must be screened. Screening individuals guarantees their safety and and reduces risks of MRI –safety related accidents.

Pre-entry Medical Check The MRI technologist should provide the patient with a check list prior to the procedure. – Accuracy is vital – Form should be available in other langauges

Patients Screening should occur at the referring physician’s office Screening should also occur when the patient arrives for the appointment and before entering the MRI suite.

Precautions in the screening process Items that may cause injury to the patient – Implanted ferromagnetic materials – Embedded magnetically active fragments in or around the eye(orbit) – Aneurysm clips – Cardiac pacemakers

Precautions Patient should be changed into a hospital gown. Foreign objects such as dentures, hearing aids, keys, cell phones, beepers, body piercings, money clips, coins, pens and clothing with metal fasteners should be removed to reduce the risk injury.