Safety

Tip of the week: Consider using these MRI safety steps

Hospital Safety Connection, January 27, 2010

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In light of a heavy fine in California, safety committees may want to verify that only appropriate items are being brought into MRI scanner suites.
 
The state’s Department of Public Health issued a $50,000 penalty against Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach after an MRI patient was injured when the metal gurney she was on was pulled into the scanner by the machine’s powerful magnet, according to state records.
 
The incident in question took place in January 2009, and since then, the hospital has taken the following corrective actions as noted by the state:
  • MRI staff members have receive refresher education about what items may not be brought into the suite
  • A camera was installed at the MRI entrance door so that the console technologist can better monitor who is entering the area
  • An MRI time-out process was established, during which the MRI technologist verifies that ferromagnetic items are not entering the scan room



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