After observing hundreds of MRI facilities, we noticed a common problem with the MRI safety signs. The MRI safety signs mounted on the door of the MRI suites at Zone 4 were visible only from one angle when the door was open. MRI safety signs mounted on the doors are effective when the door is closed but what about when there is a procedure and the door is open, or if the door remains open even when there is no procedure?
MRI Safety Signs
The ACR recommends that the doors of the MRI system rooms be closed unless there is a procedure or maintenance. They also recommend that there should be a “caution” barrier at the entry to Zone 4 to inhibit passage of personnel and or materials from Zone 3 to Zone 4.
Most MRI facilities have stickers on the doors for this reason. However, more and more incidents are occurring at MRI facilities. Which leads to the second recommendation of the ACR that there is a “caution” barrier mounted at the entry. Yet so many facilities are not following this part of the recommendation.
Is A Barrier Really Necessary?
“Many MRI safety incidents happen when non-MRI personnel are trying to help with patient care. Others happen during medical emergencies (codes) when personnel are focused on resuscitating a patient and forget about the invisible danger of the magnetic field. Unfortunately, even with an increased focus on safety, accidents in MRI departments still happen. A recent study found that 74% of MRI incidents could have been prevented by following standard safety practices.”-Ohio State University
Imagine a scenario where a patient asks for their companion to be within viewing distance while they are having their procedure. A RT gives permission but only if the companion stands outside of the room and does not enter. However, the patient is stressed and by pure instinct the companion enters Zone 4 without thinking and they have an aneurysm clip, pacemaker or other object that is dangerous to themselves, the patient, the RT and the MRI machine. This could be catastrophic for all parties.
Many RTs are stating that they must run the MRI alone. There is no one to cover if they must step away for a moment. During that time an unsuspecting maintenance person or salesperson could enter the area and step into Zone 4 without seeing the door signs because the door was left open. If they have anything metallic on their person this could be dangerous for them and for the MRI machine itself.
Of course, there is also the possibility that during a code or an emergency a person with the intention of helping enters the room without seeing the signs on the door, and introduces a metallic object into the room, and causes great harm to any and all people in the room. This has happened on many occasions, once with a police officer who did not understand the dangers of the MRI magnet. His gun fired with the force of the magnet.
The MRI safety signs mounted on the doors are simply not enough because they are not visible unless the door is closed. When the door is closed there is automatically a barrier to entry.
In each of these scenarios a cautionary barrier, like the MRI Safety Stop sign, can help to stop people from entering Zone 4 without assessing the risks. The barrier serves as an extreme warning of the dangers of the magnet.
Are There Reasons Not To Have A Barrier?
Over the last 20+ years in business we have heard many reasons why RT’s and hospitals are hesitant to have “caution” barriers at the door of Zone 4. All the reasons have to do with a perceived inconvenience to the staff, or the patient. The MRI Safety Stop sign does not require any physical interaction, touching to open, unhook, or open and close on entry and exit. It also does not require a busy RT to remember to close or reattach a barrier when they have entered or exited zone 4.
There are concerns from some facilities about getting a wheelchair or gurney through the MRI Safety Stop Sign, however, with the ease and gentleness of the doors opening and closing automatically neither are issues in the functioning of daily operations. Other barriers require the RT to stop and unhook, detach, or open and close the barrier before and after entry.
Any inconvenience a barrier might cause in daily operations is superseded by the added safety they provide to the patient, the RT and magnet. Therefore, a caution barrier is the perfect solution to the issue of door mounted MRI safety signs that are not visible when the MRI Zone 4 door is open.
“It’s really sad how tragic a simple mistake can be the things that could be avoided. You should have clear signage indicating the presence of a magnetic field and warning against entry with metallic objects,” Alexander says. “Facilities also need to have policies in place for emergency response and evacuation procedures in case of an accident.”
We couldn’t agree more. With each new incident the need for clear signage and “caution” barriers becomes more evident. The need to have less risk exposure for the RT’s, the patients and the facilities becomes more and more important as the demand on the RTs grows. Realizing the vulnerabilities of using only MRI safety signs which mount on the door and are only visible from one angle when the door is open is not only beneficial but necessary. Without proper MRI safety signage each MRI facility is exposed to the occurrence of an incident.
It has been over 20 years since the Michael Colombini incident and unfortunately incidents are on the rise, instead of on the decline. Along with proper safety training, and an appointed Safety Officer facilities should be following the guidelines of the ACR and installing barriers at the doors of Zone 4 suites. MRI Safety Stop sign is the clear choice for safety, ease of use, and ease of installation. To order yours now visit our products page. To see a video of the sign being used in a facility visit our home page.
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