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JRCERT Update

Ensuring Student Safety in

Magnetic Resonance Educational Programs

Loraine D Zelna, MS, R.T.(R)(MR)

onversations about magnetic resonance (MR) Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) Board of Directors
imaging usually include discussions on safety adopted new interpretations to Standard Four to help
because of potential risks in the MR environ- ensure student safety in the MR environment. The
Cment. The magnetic fields used in MR imaging recent interpretations require all JRCERT-accredited
are, on average, 30 000 to 60 000 times more powerful programs to make available to students information
than the earth’s magnetic field. This strong magnetic regarding the potential dangers of metallic implants or
field creates a projectile effect by pulling any ferromag- foreign bodies in the MR environment. Programs also
1
netic material (ie, material with a high susceptibility to are required to implement a safety screening protocol
magnetization such as iron) into the center of the mag- that prepares students for safe MR practices.
net at extremely high speeds. The magnet always is on,
and the magnetic field is invisible. The risks for harm Incidents of Note
created by the strength of the magnetic field and the During the October 2014 meeting of the JRCERT
radiofrequency hazards extend to all who enter the Board of Directors, the board confidentially discussed
scanner’s magnetic field. These risks include the possi- an experience a student had during an MR rotation.
bility that an implanted device, such as a pacemaker, During this particular incident, the student apparently
could cease working, the magnet could pull on or create heard the MR technologist screening a patient before
excessive heat within or around an implanted device, or the examination. The student became concerned and
a person could be struck by a projectile as it is pulled informed the MR technologist that she had a pace-
toward the magnet. These potential hazards have led to maker. The technologist had assumed the educational
rigorous screening procedures aimed at reducing the program had screened the student before assigning her
risk of accidents involving health care providers, MR to an MR rotation, and the program had assumed the
personnel, support staff who routinely work in the MR MR technologist would screen the student.
environment, and patients. One of the most widely publicized MR safety inci-
Previously, radiography, radiation therapy, MR, and dents occurred in 2001 at a New York-area hospital. A
medical dosimetry educational programs that provided 6-year-old boy died after having an MR examination
students with clinical rotations or potential access when a metal oxygen tank was brought into the MR
to the MR suite might have relied on the clinical set- suite by an individual who was not trained appro-
ting to inform students about MR safety. In October priately in MR safety procedures. The machine’s
2014, the Joint Review Committee on Education in magnetic field propelled the oxygen tank across the

RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, May/June 2016, Volume 87, Number 5 561
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2019. All rights reserved.