Building a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety Culture from the Ground Up

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a strong magnetic field to generate diagnostic images. This magnetic field has the potential to cause serious and even fatal injuries to patients undergoing scans and to personnel in the area. Ensuring awareness of MRI hazards and safety procedures through a formalized education and training program is integral in creating an MRI safety culture that protects patients and staff from harm. The aim of our project was to develop an accessible and interprofessional electronic e-module learning series to instill an MRI safety culture throughout the entire hospital. This is the first such program in Canada. A simplified e-search was conducted using key search terms “mri: safety, education, safety training.” Very few articles were found that fulfilled our needs in helping us build an MRI safety program. In concert with an e-search we reached out to similar institutions and, through informal discussions, we confirmed the lack of a formalized, transferable safety program within Canada. This led to the creation of an interprofessional working team at our institution composed of key stakeholders: educators, clinical and technical experts from radiation therapy, medical imaging, the research institute, medical radiation physics, nursing, and radiation oncology. This team collaborated on the development of three education modules tailored for specific audiences based on classification as Non-MR Personnel, Level 1 MR Personnel, or Level 2 MR Personnel as defined by the American College of Radiology guidelines. All modules were 10 to 20 minutes in length with interactive engagement activities throughout as well as a final summative evaluation to test for comprehension. Knowledge of the existence of the MRI unit is only one facet of creating an MRI safety culture. By increasing the awareness of the hazards of MRI to all personnel throughout the hospital, the risk of harm to patients and staff may be decreased.