Avoiding MRI-Related Accidents: A Practical Approach to Implementing MR Safety

MRI is a ubiquitous medical imaging technology typically using superconductivity to generate a strong, homogeneous, and generally ceaseless magnetic field. MRI and its magnetic field pose many safety hazards, including magnetic forces on metals, tissue heating and burns, nerve stimulation, bioeffects, acoustic noise, and contrast agent complications. The primary concern is that a wide variety of patients, staff members, technologists, and physicians can approach the incessant magnetic field, creating great potential for accidents that could occur if metals from the environment, adornments, implants, and other unintended sources are also present in or near the field. Many accidents have occurred and are occasionally reported in the United States and countries all over the world. Through carefully structured oversight and the establishment of strict guidelines regarding access, responsibilities, and training, these risks can be mitigated, and accidents can be prevented. Fortunately, there is currently a wide variety of resources available to facilitate the successful implementation of an effective MRI safety program. This article presents a general overview of and the authors’ experience with an MRI safety program in terms of risk management and training. The MR safety program requirements and regulations in the United States devised by The Joint Commission and the ACR are also discussed. With these resources and a carefully selected team, the risk for MRI-related accidents can be vastly reduced if not completely eliminated.     

Science to Practice: IT Solutions to Drive Standardized Report Recommendations for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Surveillance

Inadequate imaging surveillance has been identified as the most significant contributor to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture. Radiologists can contribute value to patient care and reduce morbidity and mortality related to AAA by incorporating evidence-based management recommendations from the ACR and Society of Vascular Surgery into their report impression. The challenges lie in achieving 100% radiologist compliance to incorporate the recommendations and ensuring that the patient is notified by their provider, the follow-up examination is scheduled, and the patient returns for an imaging test that may be scheduled 3 to 5 years in the future. To address these barriers, radiology quality and informatics leads have harnessed IT solutions to facilitate integration of content, communication of results, and patient follow-up.     

东莞市12岁儿童口腔健康知识认知与相关行为调查

目的了解东莞市12岁儿童口腔健康知识、行为现状,为东莞市口腔卫生保健工作提供信息支持。方法于2018年6—7月采用分层随机整群抽样方法,抽取东莞市12个镇(街道)3014名12岁儿童进行口腔健康行为问卷调查。结果96.15%的12岁儿童每天都有刷牙,其中每天刷牙≥2次的儿童所占比例为57.07%,男生和女生间有统计学差异(χ2=46.05,P<0.01);含氟牙膏的使用率仅为6.90%;84.97%的12岁儿童了解“吃糖可以导致龋齿”,65.30%的12岁儿童知道“刷牙时牙龈出血不正常”,但知道牙菌斑概念的儿童比例仅为15.63%。结论东莞市儿童口腔健康状况和行为有待改善,在继续大力推广窝沟封闭预防龋齿措施的同时,应加强儿童口腔保健知识,特别是有效刷牙的宣传教育,促进儿童建立健康口腔行为。     

Rapid identification of nonblood sterile site broth cultures using the FilmArray blood culture identification panel

The FilmArray Blood Culture Identification Panel was validated for nonblood sterile site specimens with clinical impact of rapid identification compared to conventional diagnostics. The panel accurately identified target organisms from 98% of positive broth cultures a median 1.1?day faster than conventional techniques (P?<?0.0001) with potential clinical impact in 22% of cases.     

Collaborative Practice Agreements Between Nurse Practitioners and Pharmacists

As nurse practitioners (NPs) gain autonomous prescribing status in more states, their ability to work interprofessionally with pharmacists through collaborative practice agreements will increase. Interprofessional care provided by pharmacists and NPs can improve care, and so it is important to consider ways to make this care more efficient, such as through collaborative practice agreements. We focus on collaborative practice agreements between NPs and pharmacists in community settings or ambulatory care settings. Not all states authorize collaborative practice agreements between NPs and pharmacists, which limits the ability for both professionals to work to the full scope of their license.