Hazards:
(1) external items flying into the magnet
(2) internal items within a patient being dislodged
(3) changes to magnetic records
External items that have been attracted into the magnet, often causing patient or worker injury:
(1) fork lift blade
(2) medical gas tank
(3) medical instruments
(4) infusion pump
(5) IV infusion pole
(6) personal computer
(7) personal belongings (glasses, watches, hearing aids, dental appliances, hair pins, jewelry, etc.)
Internal items that may be dislodged include:
(1) foreign bodies in trauma patients
(2) implanted orthopedic hardware
(3) implanted pacemakers, cardiac valves or cardiac devices
(4) metal probes or transducers
(5) vascular clips
(6) other metalic devices
Magnetic records destroyed:
(1) bank cards
(2) magnetic computer media
(3) audiotapes
If an external object becomes embedded on the magnet the repairs can be in excess of $25,000 due to:
(1) liquid helium drainage and replacement
(2) repair to the coil
(3) unit downtime
If a patient is injured by the incident then the cost can be much higher.
Steps to reduce problems may include:
(1) security devices to restrict access to the MR suite
(2) designating safe and risk areas
(4) use of MRI-safe equipment
(5) carefully screening patients and employees for metal
(6) using brackets to secure items
(7) initial and ongoing training in safety methods
