MR Safety
The ACR created a multidisciplinary blue ribbon panel to address critical issues in MR safety. Initially published in in the American Journal of Roentgenology in June 2002, updated in May 2004, and then markedly expanded and updated in March of 2007 (for June, 2007 publication in the AJR), the ACR Guidance Document for Safe MR Practices: 2007" addresses numerous MR safety related topics, such as:
- Static magnetic field-related issues such as translational and rotational forces on ferromagnetic materials
- Time-varying magnetic field-related issues such as induced voltage, auditory considerations, and thermal issues
- Personnel qualifications and training
- Site access restrictions
- Pregnancy-related issues
- Guidelines on claustrophobia, anxiety, sedation, analgesia, and anesthesia
- Contrast agent safety, including an entire new section and recommendations regarding Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis, renal disease patients, and gadolinium administration
- An entirely re-written section on the safety of MR scanning of device patients, such as patients with cardiac pacemakers, implanted auto-defibrillators, etc.
- MR siting considerations
- Emergency preparedness planning