Magnetic resonance imaging, commonly known as an MRI scan, is one of the most powerful diagnostic tools that we have as orthopaedic surgeons. Using very strong magnets, radio waves and sophisticated computer processing, MRI machines are able to generate detailed images of the body’s internal structures, allowing us to find injuries and abnormalities in the musculoskeletal system.
While MRI scans are generally safe, the presence of a strong magnetic field can attract everyday metal objects, turning them into dangerous projectiles, if the necessary precautions are not taken. At Orthopaedic & Spine Center of Newport News, VA, MRI scan safety is a priority. All scans are performed by highly-trained and experienced MRI technicians, and we follow strict safety protocols to prevent accidents and injuries.
Our MRI Scan Safety Protocols
At OSC, MRI scan safety is more than a checklist, it’s a culture. From the moment your scan is ordered to the final image capture, our process is designed to protect patients, staff and visitors. Our screening is thorough, safety zones are enforced, and no one enters the scan room without clearance.
- Pre-Scan Screening – Patients are asked a series of detailed and comprehensive screening questions to identify any implants, devices or foreign objects, such as pacemakers, shrapnel or bullets, that could be affected by the magnetic field. If you have a medical implant card, be sure to bring it, as it can provide crucial information about your device’s compatibility with MRI.
- Removal of Metallic Objects – Patients are required to change into a hospital gown to ensure that they are not wearing any metallic or potentially hazardous clothing. You will also be required to remove all jewelry and piercings. This includes checking for things like hairpins, paper clips, credit cards, underwire bras, and any makeup or tattoos that may contain iron.
- Safety Zones – Our MRI facility is divided into four safety zones, based on exposure to the magnetic field and increase for potential safety risks. Only screened persons are permitted in the area just outside the scanner room (zone III) and inside the scanner room (zone IV), and they must be accompanied at all times by personnel who have been trained in MRI scan safety.
- Positioning & Noise Protection – Our MRI technicians ensure proper body positioning – no overlapping of arms, legs or hands – to prevent burns from electrical currents induced by the magnetic fields. We also provide hearing protection to guard against the loud noises that the scanner can produce.
- Monitoring & Emergency Procedures – Our MRI technicians stay in communication with patients throughout the scan via intercom. In the event of a medical emergency, we have an evacuation protocol and a designated area outside the MRI scan room equipped to handle emergency procedures, where healthcare teams can focus on patient care without the risk of magnetic interference.
It’s important to note that the MRI magnet is always on. The MRI machine is only shutdown, or quenched, in an emergency. During an emergency quench, the helium gas that keeps the magnet superconductive is rapidly boiled off, filling the room with gas. Emergency shutdowns are also extremely disruptive and costly, requiring a week or more to refreeze the helium and get the system back online. As a result, magnets are only manually quenched in the event of a serious fire that endangers human life, or a metal object pinning an individual to the scanner, both of which can be avoided by following the safety protocols outlined above.
Open MRI Scans in Newport News, VA
Orthopaedic & Spine Center in Newport News offers the only Open MRI on the Virginia Peninsula. It is also the most powerful MRI scanner in the area, providing clearer images and allowing for better diagnostics. Scanning also takes less time, and the open design is ideal for claustrophobic patients, children and individuals weighing up to 660 lbs.
You can learn more about our MRI services, or schedule an open MRI scan in Newport News, VA by calling 757-596-1900.