Promote Your MRI Safety Features:
MRI facilities should take this opportunity to promote the safety features they've implemented to enhance the safety of patients and staff in the MRI suite. Purchased MR safe patient monitoring or injector systems? Shouldn't your referring physicians know that? Utilizing an ACR-recommended ferrous-only metal detection system? Don't you think that would be an interesting local 'hook' to news media who might have an interest in featuring the anniversary of the Colombini tragedy? Have you implemented the recommendations from the ACR's latest Guidance Document for Safe MR Practices? Don't you think your patients would like to know the lengths you go to protect their safety?
If you represent a company which offers products or services which positively impact MRI patient safety, wouldn't your clients be interested in information on your offerings during the week of July 22nd when they're already thinking of it?
Below are a few resources that may help you to promote your MRI services and products which improve MRI patient safety. Click on each for further information:
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Internal Reviews:
Even more important than promoting what you've already accomplished, MRI service providers are encouraged to take this opportunity to evaluate existing MRI safety protections to determine what improvements can be made for MRI-Safety Week.
You may take the opportunity to scrutinize the ACR White Paper on MR Safety. Are you clear on which staff have had what training? Is MRI awareness part of the standard training for all employees at your site? Are you aware that many recommend regular inspections of a superconducting MR's cryogen vent system? When was the last time you inspected your quench pipe and discharge? Re-evaluate your patient screening protocols and have a heart-to-heart with your vendor engineer. He or she may tell you about all sorts of metal objects which made it past screening and into the bore of your MR.
Below are a few resources that may help you with internal reviews of operational and facility safety. Click on each for further information:
Train Your Staff:
Schedule a training seminar for your technologists focussed on MR Safety issues for that week of July 22nd. Review general staff training procedures for non-technologists and compare the frequency of general staff training with the turnover rates of key support departments (transport, housekeeping, etc...) and determine if you're providing the right amount of training.
Beyond the staff in your own facility, contact the police and fire departments for your community. Offer them training on the specific risks associated with MRI and coordinate emergency response protocols.
Below are a few resources that may help you with MRI safety education resources. Click on each for further information:
Referring Physicians:
Ever had to turn a patient away due to an unknown or unsafe implant? While most physicians do a good job, wouldn't it be great if all referring physicians did a better job of verifying the safety of MR procedures for their patients? What if you provided a standardized referral form which helped to identify potential contraindications before the patient shows up at your facility? What if you held an open-house and an informal presentation on the safety of implants and devices and invited referring physicians and area surgeons? Wouldn't that reduce the rate of rejected patients and improve your productivity?
Below is a link to information that may help you in identifying the safety of implants and devices. Click below for further information:
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Tips On Timing:
Whatever actions you plan, consider the time needed to prepare. If you are promoting your efforts to the media / public, make sure that your information is provided to them a week or two prior to the July 22nd so that they have time to prepare.
Please make sure that your individual efforts integrate with the overall MRI-Safety Week. Promotional activities and press coverage should occur during the week of July 22nd and should reference the overall MRI-Safety Week effort and / or the anniversary of the Colombini tragedy.
By integrating our efforts, we will all improve the awareness of MRI-Safety to the benefit of everyone!
Thank you for sharing in this exciting opportunity with us!
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