![]() For example, one fatal event involved a six-year-old child undergoing an MRI scan. Some incidents of the projectile effect have been reported in the mainstream news media. For example, paper clips and hairpins have been shown to travel at speeds up to 40 mph into a 1.5 T magnet. Any object, regardless of size, can become a dangerous projectile. This hazardous phenomenon is known as the projectile, or missile, effect, which can potentially result in serious or fatal injuries to individuals in the scanner room. These forces, primarily translational forces, can draw unrestrained objects, making them airborne, into the magnet’s bore. Introductionįerromagnetic materials can be influenced by translational (linear) and torque (rotational) forces exerted by the static magnetic field of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. This article continues the discussion of MR safety, focusing on the safety concerns of ferromagnetic objects and ferromagnetic medical equipment entering the magnetic resonance imaging scanner room. March 2009 Pennsylvania Patient Safety Advisory article discussed magnetic resonance (MR) safety screening practices. Proper MR screening practices for ferromagnetic items and establishing protocols for identifying and labeling equipment that can and cannot be brought into the scanner room will help reduce the risk of objects becoming projectiles within the MR environment. Between June 2004 and December 2008, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority received 27 reports of objects becoming projectiles in the MR environment, 16 ferromagnetic items that were brought into the MRI scanner room without becoming projectiles, and 5 ferromagnetic items almost allowed into the MRI scanner room. MR personnel must know what equipment is safe to allow into the scanner room and what equipment is unsafe and should be left out of the room. Additionally, the static magnetic field may cause medical equipment to malfunction, which may result in serious or fatal patient injury. In some cases, medical equipment needed in the scanner room for patient assessment or treatment (e.g., physiologic monitor, infusion pump) could also pose projectile risks. To avoid serious or fatal injury from projectiles, magnetic resonance (MR) personnel must understand the principles of the projectile effect and properly screen individuals before entering the scanner room for ferromagnetic objects. This phenomenon is known as the projectile effect and can result in catastrophic consequences for individuals near the scanner and significant damage to equipment. These forces can draw unrestrained objects, making them airborne, into the scanner’s magnet bore. Most hardware stores and home centers now carry earthquake safety straps, fasteners, and adhesives.The static magnetic field of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner exerts forces on ferromagnetic and other magnetic materials near the field. Some of the actions recommended on this page may take a bit longer to complete, but all are relatively simple. Then begin to look for other items in your home that may be hazardous in an earthquake. START NOW by moving furniture such as bookcases away from beds, sofas, or other places where people sit or sleep. There may be simple actions you can do right now that will protect you if an earthquake happens tomorrow. In addition to contents within your living space, also secure items in other areas, such as your garage, to reduce damage to vehicles or hazardous material spills. You should secure anything 1) heavy enough to hurt you if it falls on you, or 2) fragile or expensive enough to be a significant loss if it falls. Much of this damage and injury could have been prevented in advance through simple actions to secure buildings and contents. Many billions of dollars were lost due to this type of damage. Several people died and thousands were injured in the Northridge earthquake because of unsecured building contents such as toppling bookcases. We must also secure the contents of our buildings to reduce the risk to our lives and our pocketbooks. Identify potential hazards in your home and begin to fix them.Įarthquake safety is more than minimizing damage to buildings. ![]()
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