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In the Event of an Emergency in the MRI
Lab, follow the appropriate link below
 Medical
Emergencies
Facilities
Emergencies
Emergencies
During Scanning
Instrument
Shutdown
GENERAL INFORMATION
Risks Associated with the MRI Lab:
Used properly, the magnetic resonance imaging equipment contained
within the MRI lab is quite safe, however, it poses serious risks
to the unwary. Users of the lab should be completely familiar with
this manual and with the procedures for protecting others from hazards.
The main hazards in the lab are:
• The "projectile effect" when heavy,
sharp, or dangerous objects are hurled into the instrument. Even
seemingly innocuous objects, such as hand tools, can be lethal.
• Pacemaker damage. Certain cardiac pacemakers can
be damaged by exposure to magnetic fields, causing direct hazards
to subjects. Under no circumstances should persons with pacemakers
enter the scanner building beyond the waiting room area.
• As in many laboratories, the MRI lab contains wiring and
circuitry that operate at dangerous voltages. Under no circumstances
should users touch any exposed wiring, or any exposed terminals
in the equipment cabinets.
• Grossly improper scanner operation could result
in excessive heating of the subject due to RF energy being deposited.
This is easily avoided by operating the equipment according to
the guidelines contained in the user manuals and set by the individual
instructors.
• Suffocation: in extreme cases, the imaging magnet
may release large volumes of helium gas, that can rapidly force
all air out of the scan room. Normally, this helium gas would
be vented through the roof. However, there is a small but significant
risk that the venting system could fail.
Safe Areas
The only rooms that can be considered completely safe are
the waiting anteroom, the rest room, and the changing room. These
are outside of the magnetic field and free from electrical equipment.
Reduction of Risks
The chief risk exposure in the lab is to entering personnel who
are unfamiliar with the equipment and its hazards. Personnel working
in the facility must be constantly vigilant of who is entering the
console or scan room area. Especially in emergency situations, you
must ensure that no one without proper training enters the scanner
room, and even then, that they have adequately checked themselves
for possible hazards such as projectiles.
As interesting as the equipment is, please resist the temptation
to show visitors the scanner "up close", as this introduces
unnecessary risk of unwittingly exposing people to potential hazards.
In any emergency, try to step through the following guidelines methodically
and carefully; avoid making decisions in panic situations.
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