PIC Promotes MRI Safety Week
During the week of July 23rd through 29th, the international MRI community will be celebrating and calling attention to MRI safety. Pacific Imaging Center is pleased to join in this effort.
During the week of July 23rd through 29th, the international MRI community will be celebrating and calling attention to MRI safety. Pacific Imaging Center is pleased to join in this effort.
MRI professionals are constantly testing, reviewing research and upgrading protocols to promote patient safety. Prior to your exam, you may be instructed not to wear makeup or hair care products, and during the screening process, at the time of scheduling and when you arrive, you will be asked whether you have any implants, piercings, or tattoos on or in your body and whether you have any foreign objects or implants in your body.
We aren’t being intrusive. We’re simply concerned about your safety.
Tattoos, piercings, BB’s, metal shrapnel, shavings, shards and a variety of other foreign objects can also be a concern because heating or pulling could result. For example, a metal shard could be subject to the magnet’s pull and may try to realign itself with the magnet. This torqueing could result in pain.
In addition, if items mentioned in the previous paragraph are located in or near the area being scanned, they can cause what we refer to as “artifact.” Even a single BB or small metal shard can create a large area of blackness on the image, making it difficult or impossible for the radiologist to assess the patient’s condition.
Some manufacturers are using microscopic metals and minerals in sportswear, screen prints, makeup, and hair care products. When exposed to a high magnet field coupled with radio frequencies, these metals and minerals have the potential to create heat that can cause discomfort for the patient, or possible artifact as discussed above.
At PacificImagingCenter, we go to great lengths to ensure your safety while also providing you and your physician with the highest quality exam.
While you may find it annoying to be asked the same questions several times, please bear with us. We are simply thinking of your safety and personal well-being while you are in our care.
Medical implants and additional MRI safety will be discussed in future articles.
Pacific Imaging Center is located at 625 9th Avenue at Pacific Imaging Center.
Jack Berry, Director of Imaging Services at Pacific Imaging Center
