Common MRI injuries remain largely preventable

Despite the lack of uniform standards, the most common MRI-related injuries are well understood and often highly preventable, according to Tobias Gilk, founder of Gilk Radiology Consultants and a certified MRI Safety Officer and MRI Safety Expert.

According to the Radiological Society of North America, the most commonly reported MRI safety incidents and injury risks include the following:

• Radiofrequency (RF) burns: Patient burns caused by improper positioning, conductive materials, or RF heating remain among the most frequently reported MRI injuries
• Projectile incidents: Ferromagnetic objects like oxygen tanks, IV poles, wheelchairs, or chains can become dangerous projectiles inside MRI environments
• Implant and medical device complications: Pacemakers, medication pumps, retained leads, aneurysm clips, and other implanted devices can malfunction, heat up, or move if not properly screened and managed before scanning
• Hearing injuries: MRI scanners generate extremely loud acoustic noise, and improper hearing protection practices can contribute to auditory damage
• Screening and communication failures: MRSEs repeatedly identify inadequate screening, inconsistent protocols, lack of education, and poor communication as underlying contributors to many MRI-related adverse events

RF burns remain one of the most common hazards, according to Gilk. He adds that many burns can be avoided through proper patient positioning and padding techniques, yet those practices are not consistently required by regulatory standards or accreditation criteria.

Projectile risks continue to present another major concern. MRI magnets remain active at all times, creating the potential for ferromagnetic objects to become dangerous projectiles if brought too close to the scanner.

“For projectiles, we don’t even require labeling potential projectile objects in the MRI suite,” says Gilk.

He says many organizations also fail to implement controls such as ferromagnetic detection systems or consistent use of MRI conditional equipment despite their value in preventing catastrophic events.

Auditory injuries remain another overlooked area. MRI scanners can generate extremely high noise levels, but Gilk says many facilities still fail to educate patients on proper hearing protection use.

“Almost every site makes compressible foam earplugs available, but few take the time to explain to patients how to properly place them,” he says.

At the same time, hospitals are managing growing numbers of patients with implanted technologies that may interact with MRI environments in unpredictable ways.

“The variety and proliferation of implants and devices in or with MRI patients have exploded in the last decade,” says Gilk.

Editor’s note: This article was excerpted from our Patient Safety Monitor Journal newsletter.