Reflecting on MRI Safety Week 2024 – Kellye Mantooth

As MRI Safety Week 2024 has come to an end, I am filled with excitement. Throughout the past week, a great deal of content was published recognizing MRI Safety Week, which is incredibly encouraging. It seems like more people are taking up the MRI Safety torch and carrying it forward, realizing the significant impact education and conversation have on MRI safety.

At Metrasens, we also contributed by releasing content aimed at improving MRI Safety practices.

Our week started with a podcast featuring Tobias Gilk, in which we delved into the history of MR Safety. We covered topics such as its origins, the evolution of guidance documents, the modality itself, the increasing complexity of patients, and how it has impacted MR safety. We emphasized the need for regulations and standards in MRI Safety and the requirement for qualified individuals in MR Safety roles.

On Tuesday, we hosted Dr. Mark Keene, who conducted an in-depth session on ferromagnetic detection systems. Dr. Keene explained the different types of detection and the specific use cases for each, this information is crucial for technologists and MRSOs looking to effectively implement and use these tools to maximize their impact.

Later in the week, Tobias Gilk returned to provide a breakdown of best practices for preventing adverse effects. In this webinar, Tobias explained the most common adverse events, how to prevent them, and suggested processes to implement into daily practices for better results.

On Thursday, I hosted a podcast with technologists Kris Seitz, Randy Parker, and John Reyna, where we discussed how the new ACR Manual is impacting MR safety practices. The diverse perspectives and practices of technologists belonging to unique facilities enriched the conversation around MR Safety, highlighting individual approaches to safety and the challenges they face.

We concluded MR Safety Week with a 2-hour LIVE webinar offering CME and CE credits, where Tobias discussed scanning implants off-label. This targeted both technologists and radiologists, providing insights on maintaining safety while scanning off-label, understanding FDA approval, and considerations for off-label scanning.

Throughout the week, Metrasens reached 2,995 people with our message about the critical importance of MRI safety. From our engaging podcasts and expert-led webinars to our interactive live sessions, we brought valuable insights and best practices to technologists and radiologists alike. For those who couldn’t join us live, all events are available on demand, ensuring that everyone has access to this essential information to enhance MRI safety in their practices.

As I reflect on this week, I can’t help but think about my journey as a technologist. MRI Safety encompasses more than just concerns about projectiles, burns, and Gauss lines; it’s about safeguarding patients and personnel from adverse events and ensuring they receive the care they need. Despite the positive experiences of this week, the recent incident with an unsafe gurney stuck to a magnet serves as a reminder that our work in MRI Safety is far from over. We must remain vigilant, consistently wear our MRI Safety thinking caps, and actively work to prevent tragic incidents from occurring.