MRI Screening Procedures
Patient Screening
There are potential risks in the MR environment, not only for the patient but also for the accompanying healthcare professionals. The MRI screening process, when performed properly, ensures individuals are eligible for an MRI procedure. The electronic MRI safety screening form is a mandatory initial step and is designed to identify all potential implants and/or foreign bodies that the patient may have.
- For outpatients, the screening form is released to the patient 30 days prior to their appointment date via MyChart.
- For inpatients, it is immediately available within the electronic medical record, once MR order is placed by the provider.
The MRI screening form is strongly recommended to be completed before the MRI scheduled appointment date.
It is the responsibility of the MRI technologist to confirm that the screening form has been completed and to review the MRI screening form answers prior to allowing a patient into Zone 3/4. In this review, the MRI technologist is expected to go through each question to make sure the patient understands what is being asked and that the individual is able to give an accurate response. The MRI technologist should never assume MR safety information related to an implant or device. MRI procedures cannot proceed until the screening form is documented as completed. Importantly, inaccurate assessments may result in imminent injury and/or death.
Ultimately, the final determination of whether or not to proceed with a patient’s MRI procedure is by a level II MRI safety-trained radiologist or MRMD. However, this authority is delegated to the MRI Technologist such that the radiologist is only consulted for selected patients in whom the decision to proceed is not straightforward. Importantly, a balance of benefit versus risk of not performing the MRI may require the input of multiple healthcare professionals.
Outpatient escalation pathway:
MRI Technologist>MRI supervisor>Implant Evaluator>MRSO>MRMD
Inpatient and/or after-hours escalation pathway:
MRI Technologist>MRI supervisor and/or ON-call supervisor>on site radiologist/fellow>on-call attending radiologist. Any person (e.g., patients, research participants, volunteers, employees and professionals) with an implanted cardiac pacemaker, Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), and/or Electronic or Active implant/device (an implant requiring external power or battery to operate) on whose function the person is dependent, should be precluded from MRI Zones 3-4.
Patients with a history of foreign bodies in the eyes will require a negative CT scan of the orbits prior to being admitted to Zone 3/4. If the CT scan of the orbits is NOT possible for any reason, then radiographs (2v skull) is an acceptable alternative MRI screening method.
An MRI examination should typically not be performed until the specific manufacturer, model, and type of aneurysm clip is identified. 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 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 all personal clothing items (including undergarments). All persons (patients, research participants, volunteers) who will experience an MRI procedure are required to wear a site-supplied gown and/or pants, socks, undergarments, and IF incontinence products are worn, they should be newly donned and dry.
The patient's MRI Safety Screening process includes these 10 mandatory steps, completed by a Level II MR technologist, to ensure safety. The MRI Technologist will:
- Introduce themselves and explain the MRI procedure.
- Confirm the patient’s identity by using 2 unique identifiers, confirm the body part being imaged; mark laterality if needed.
- Verify completion of the screening form before Zone 3 entry.
- Review MRI screening answers interactively with the patient.
- Utilize the ferromagnetic detection wand (FMD) as an additional layer of safety screening to assist with metal identification. (slowly, pass close to the body, ask patients to stand, sit up to access body areas)
- Position MR coils properly.
- Read emergency squeeze ball script; confirm that the audible alarm works.
- Ensure thorough padding placement around the patient to decrease thermal injury risk.
- Ensure adequate hearing protection placement (ear plugs)
- Position the patient’s body part in the magnet isocenter; confirm communication via intercom with patient.
Important Safety Guidelines for Individuals Who Must Accompany an MRI Patient |
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For safety reasons, only the patient is allowed inside the MRI scan room. However, in some cases — such as young children or patients who need extra support — a companion may be allowed inside the scan room. If you accompany someone into the MRI scan room, you must follow the same safety rules as the patient. These include
You’ll be asked to store all personal items such as cell phones, purses, bags, backpacks and jewelry in a patient dressing room locker before entering the scan room. For pediatric patients, having a parent or guardian present can help reduce anxiety and make the experience less intimidating. Plus, wearing the same special MRI-safe clothing often creates a fun sense of togetherness! Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe during the MRI process. |
MRI Personnel Screening
All MRI Personnel are to undergo an MRI screening process as part of their employment onboarding process to ensure their own safety in the MRI environment. This screening process is an electronic MRI safety questionnaire. The questionnaire is located at the employee UCSF occupational health portal. It must be completed before any work is performed by the employee within Zones 3-4 and is renewed annually. 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 during which a ferromagnetic metallic object/device 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.
These attestations are completed by UCSF employees and MR personnel annually. Employees who attest are still directly supervised for MR Safety by Level II MR Personnel within MR Zones 3-4.
- I attest, if I experience any procedure, surgery or trauma after completion of this annual MRI Safety Screening questionnaire, that I understand that it is my responsibility to disclose this information during the "Just in Time" screening prior to entering any UCSF MRI Site.
- I attest, for my safety and because not all implants can safely enter the MRI environment, I must first disclose & discuss my implant details with the MRI Technologist during the “Just in Time” screening performed with each employee prior to entrance to Zone III – Zone IV.
- I attest, I understand that it is my responsibility to never enter MRI Zones II, III, or IV without MRI personnel supervision because accidental introduction of metal into the MRI environment could result in serious injury or death.
** Just in Time Screening definition: A verbal, educational review of the MRI safety zones, environment and hazards given by the MRI Level II personnel to the employee wishing to enter MRI Zones III-IV. It is during this verbal screening that an employee shall provide details of their implant history, if applicable, to the Level II MRI personnel. Based on the information provided, a final determination of the employee's safe admittance will occur.
Ancillary Staff Screening
Mandatory electronic MR safety questionnaire via employee occupational health portal that includes attestations.
Last updated 10/7/25