MRI Safety

Screening Guide

Screening of all persons entering the scan room should consist of a three-phase process 1. Initial screen begins at the initiation of the request
2. On patient arrival at the MR suite the screening form will be completed and reviewed. The person reviewing this form will sign and declare the patient able to enter the scan room.
3. A final screen will be a verbal check as the radiographer takes the patient into the scan room



Allowances must also be noted for:

1. High risk patients i.e. those with relatively contraindicated implants, acutely unwell,

2. Patients unable to cooperate with screening i.e. unconscious, non-English speaking, children, intellectually disabled, psychological attitude, confusion or an unwillingness to disclose information.

Phase 1 screening

• At the scheduling of an appointment an initial consult will take place between the patient and the referring specialist. Questions covered include major safety issues such as aneurysm clips, pacemakers, electronic implants, pregnancy etc.
• This must be noted on the request form. At this discussion claustrophobia should also be discussed and if need be, a treatment plan be improvised.
• We would need to enforce the screening form and information pamphlet be given to the patient when they present to MR to make the booking.
• Should there be no record of prior discussion on the request form, MR reception staff should discuss the major safety issues such as aneurysm clips, pacemakers, electronic implants, pregnancy etc.
• This discussion shall be noted on the request form with receptionist's name and date.
• There must be a record of this phase 1 screening before we can scan the patient.

The patient shall be given the screening form with their appointment details. They are to be instructed to complete this form and return it when they present for their MR appointment
At this discussion claustrophobia should also be discussed and if need be, a treatment plan be improvised.
The "patient screening form" and instructed that the form is to be filled out by the patient, care giver or responsible medical officer (It is to be noted on the request form that the screening form has be given). Once the form is complete and should be accessible when the patient is called for the MR examination. The examination cannot take place without this completed and signed form. It remains the referring doctor (team member) responsibility to see that this form is completed.

Phase 2 screening

• The patient will present for the MR scan with the completed screening form.
• If not they shall fill it out on arrival.
• Once complete the radiographer performing the scan will review the form with the request.
• Clinical information regarding the examination and safety issues will be reviewed.
• A comparison will be made between the phase 1 and 2 screening information.
• A private discussion will take place regarding the questions on the form
• Once the radiographer is satisfied the patient can safely undergo the MR examination they are to sign and date the screening form.

Phase 3 screening

• With all the clinical and safety information available the radiographer will bring the patient through for the MR scan.
• Before passing the 5 gauss line (scan room door) they will verbally go over the major questions once more i.e. "Do you have an aneurysm clip, pacemaker, electronic implants, are you pregnant?"

Additional Resources

• <a class="external" href="http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_mr&bhjs=0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MRI safety</a>