MRI Screening Procedures

Patient Screening

Patients entering an MRI suite for a diagnostic exam are screened for the contraindications discussed above. A standard hospital approved MRI screening form is to be filled out prior to a patient entering Zone 3/4. It will be the responsibility of the MRI technologist to review the MRI screening form prior to allowing a patient into Zone 3/4. All contraindications are to be brought to the attention of the MRI radiologist in-charge of the case.

All Non-MRI Personnel (e.g., patients, volunteers, varied site employees and professionals) with implanted cardiac pacemakers, auto-defibrillators, diaphragmatic pacemakers, and/or other electromechanically activated devices on whose function the Non-MR Personnel is dependent should be precluded from Zone 3/4.

Patients with history foreign bodies in the eyes will require a negative CT scan of the orbits prior to being admitted to Zone 3/4. Patients with a cranial aneurysm clip will require a written report from the referring physician stating the name of the clip and the date of placement prior to being admitted to Zone 3/4.

Individuals undergoing an MRI procedure must remove all readily removable metallic personal belongings and devices on or in them (e.g., watches, jewelry, body piercing if removable, contraceptive diaphragms), metallic drug delivery patches, and clothing items which may contain, metallic fasteners, hooks, zippers, loose metallic components, metallic threads, etc. It is therefore advisable to require that the patient/research subject wear a site-supplied gown.

MRI Personnel Screening

All MRI Personnel are to undergo an MRI screening process as part of their employment interview process to ensure their own safety in the MRI environment. A signed hospital approved screening form will be kept on file for every MRI Personnel. For their own protection and for the protection of the ancillary staff, all MRI Personnel must immediately report to their supervisor any trauma, procedure, or surgery that they experience which a ferromagnetic metallic object/device that may have been introduced within or on them. This will permit an appropriate screening to be performed upon the employee to determine the safety of permitting those MRI Personnel into the environment.

Ancillary Staff Screening

Same as patient screening.