(Here is a link to the current "MRI Screening Form" PDF - click here )

The establishment of thorough and effective screening procedures for patients and other individuals is one of the most critical components of a program that guards the safety of all those preparing to undergo magnetic resonance (MR) procedures or those needing to enter the MR environment. An important aspect of protecting patients and individuals from MR system-related accidents and injuries involves an understanding of the risks associated with the various implants, devices, accessories, and other objects that may cause problems in this setting. This requires constant attention and diligence to obtain information and documentation about these objects in order to provide the safest MR setting possible.

In addition, because most MR-related incidents have been due to deficiencies in screening methods and/or the lack of properly controlling access to the MR environment (especially with regard to preventing personal items and other potentially problematic objects from entering  the MR system room), it is crucial to set up procedures and guidelines to prevent such incidents from occurring.

Magnetic Resonance (MR) Procedure Screening for Patients

Certain aspects of screening patients for MR procedures may take place during the scheduling process. These activities should be conducted by a healthcare worker specially trained in MR-safety (i.e., trained to understand the potential hazards and issues associated with the MR environment and MR procedures and to be  familiar with the information contained on the screening forms for patients and individuals). While scheduling the patient, it may be ascertained if the patient has an implant or device that may be contraindicated or requires special attention for the MR procedure (e.g., a ferromagnetic aneurysm clip, pacemaker, neurostimulation system, etc.) or if there is a condition that needs careful consideration (e.g., the patient is pregnant, has a disability, history of renal failure, metallic foreign body, etc.). Preliminary screening helps to prevent scheduling patients that may be inappropriate candidates for MR examinations.

After preliminary screening, the patient must undergo comprehensive screening in preparation for the MR examination. Comprehensive screening involves the use of a printed form to document the screening procedure, a review of the information on the screening form, and a verbal interview to verify the information on the form and to allow for discussion of concerns that the patient may have. An MR-safety trained healthcare professional must conduct this important aspect of patient screening.

The screening form entitled, Magnetic Resonance (MR) Procedure Screening Form for Patients was created in conjunction with the Medical, Scientific, and Technology Advisory Board and the Corporate Advisory Board of the Institute for Magnetic Resonance Safety, Education, and Research (IMRSER). A “downloadable” version of this form may be obtained from the web sites, www.IMRSER.org and www.MRIsafety.com. This form is also available in Spanish (Translated by Olga Fernandez-Flygare, M.S., Brain Mapping Center, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA and Maelesa Rachele Oriente-Padilla’, Loyola-Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA) and Arabic (Translated by Ayman Darwish MRT(R) (MR) ACMDTT, CAMRT, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), Clinical Liaison/Instructor, MRT/MRI Programs, School of Health and Life Sciences, Alberta, Canada).

Page one of the screening form requests general patient-related information (name, age, sex, height, weight, etc.) as well as information regarding the reason for the MR examination and/or symptoms that may be present. Pertinent information about the patient is required not only to ensure that the medical records are up-to-date, but also in the event that the MRI facility needs to contact the referring physician for additional information regarding the examination or to verify the patient’s medical condition.

The form requests information regarding a prior surgical procedure to help determine if there may be an implant or device present that could create a problem. Information is also requested pertaining to prior diagnostic imaging studies that may be helpful to review for assessment of the patient’s condition.

Next, questions are posed to determine if there are issues that should be discussed with the patient prior to permitting entry to the MR environment. For example, information is requested regarding any problem with a previous MR examination, an injury to the eye involving a metallic object, or injury from a metallic foreign body. Questions are posed to obtain information about current or recently taken medications as well as the presence of drug allergies. There are also questions asked to assess past and present medical conditions that may affect the MR procedure or the use of an MRI contrast agent.

Important Information: MRI Contrast Agents and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). The American College of Radiology (ACR) Contrast Committee and the Subcommittee for MR Safety members recommend pre-screening patients prior to the administration of Gadolinium-Based MR Contrast Agents (GBMCA), as follows:

A recent (e.g., last 6 weeks) Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) assessment be reviewed for patients with a history of:

•        Renal disease (including solitary kidney, renal transplant, renal tumor)

•        Age >60 years old

•        History of hypertension

•        History of diabetes

•        History of severe hepatic disease/liver transplant/pending liver transplant. For patients in this category, only, it is recommended that the patient’s GFR assessment be nearly contemporaneous with the MR examination for which the GBMCA is to be administered.

Please review the latest information for the management of patients with underlying health conditions associated with NSF, including:

www.acr.org - Search, “NSF”

www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm223966.htm

www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/
ucm225286.htm

In consideration of the above information, questions are posed to the patient to determine if there are conditions that may need to be considered relative to the use of MRI contrast agents and the issue of NSF. For more information on this topic, refer to the section entitled, MRI Contrast Agents and Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF)*.

At the bottom of page one, there is a section for female patients that poses questions that may impact MR procedures. For example, questions regarding the date of the last menstrual period, pregnancy, or late menstrual period are included. A definite or possible pregnancy must be identified prior to permitting the patient into the MR environment so that the risk vs. the benefit of the MR procedure can be considered and discussed with the patient. MR examinations should only be performed in pregnant patients to address important clinical questions. MR facilities should have a clearly defined procedure to follow in the event that the patient has a possible or confirmed pregnancy.

Questions pertaining to the date of the last menstrual period, use of oral contraceptives or hormonal therapy, and fertility medication are necessary for female patients undergoing MR procedures that are performed to evaluate breast disease or for OB/GYN applications, as these may alter tissue contrast on MR imaging. An inquiry about breastfeeding is included in case the administration of MRI contrast media is being considered for use in nursing mothers.

Page 2 of the form has the following statement at the top of the page: “WARNING: Certain implants, devices, or objects may be hazardous to you and/or may interfere with the MR procedure (i.e., MRI, MR angiography, functional MRI, MR spectroscopy). Do not enter the MR system room or MR environment if you have any question or concern regarding an implant, device, or object. Consult the MRI Technologist or Radiologist BEFORE entering the MR system room. The MR system magnet is ALWAYS on.”

Next, there is a section that lists various implants, devices, and objects to identify anything that could be hazardous to the patient undergoing the MR procedure or that may produce an artifact that could interfere with the interpretation of the MR examination. In general, these items are arranged on the checklist in order of the relative hazard or risk (e.g., aneurysm clip, cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator, electronic implant, etc.), followed by items that may produce imaging artifacts that could be problematic for the interpretation of the MR procedure. Additionally, questions are posed to determine if the patient has a breathing problem, movement disorder, or claustrophobia.

Figures of the human body are included on the second page of the form as a means of showing the location of any object inside of or on the body. This information allows the patient to indicate the approximate position of an object that may be hazardous or that could interfere with the interpretation of the MR procedure as a result of producing an artifact.

Page 2 of the screening form also has an Important Instructions section that states: “Before entering the MR environment or MR system room, you must remove all metallic objects including hearing aids, dentures, partial plates, keys, beeper, cell phone, eyeglasses, hair pins, barrettes, jewelry, body piercing jewelry, watch, safety pins, paperclips, money clip, credit cards, bank cards, magnetic strip cards, coins, pens, pocket knife, nail clipper, tools, clothing with metal fasteners, & clothing with metallic threads. Please consult the MRI Technologist or Radiologist if you have any question or concern BEFORE you enter the MR system room.”

Finally, there is a statement that indicates hearing protection is “advised or required” to prevent possible problems or hazards related to acoustic noise. In general, this should not be an option for a patient undergoing an MR procedure on a high-field-strength MR system. Alternatively, it may be unnecessary for a patient to use hearing protection if undergoing an MR procedure on a low-field-strength MR system.

Importantly, undergoing previous MR procedures without incidents does not guarantee a safe subsequent MR examination. Various factors (e.g., the field strength of the MR system, the orientation of the patient, the orientation of a metallic implant or object, etc.) can substantially change the scenario. Thus, a written screening form must be completed each time a patient prepares to undergo an MR examination.

With the use of any type of written questionnaire, limitations exist related to incomplete or incorrect answers provided by the patient. For example, there may be difficulties associated with patients who are impaired with respect to their vision, language fluency, or level of literacy. Therefore, an appropriate accompanying family member or other individual (e.g., referring physician) should be involved in the screening process to verify any information that may impact patient safety. Versions of this form should also be available in other languages, as needed (i.e., specific to the demographics of the MRI facility).

In the event that the patient is comatose or unable to communicate, the written screening form should be completed by the most qualified individual (e.g., physician, family member, etc.) who has knowledge about the patient’s medical history and present condition. If the screening information is inadequate, it is advisable to look for surgical scars on the patient and/or to obtain plain films of the skull and/or chest to search for implants that may be hazardous in the MR environment (e.g., aneurysm clips, cardiac pacemakers, neurostimulation systems, etc.).

Following completion of the Magnetic Resonance (MR) Procedure Screening Form for Patients, an MR-safety trained healthcare professional must review the form’s content. Next, a verbal interview must be conducted by the MR-safety trained healthcare professional to verify the information on the form and to allow discussion of any question or concern that the patient may have. This provides a mechanism for clarification and confirmation of the answers to the questions posed to the patient so that there is no miscommunication regarding important MR safety issues. In addition, because the patient may not be fully aware of the medical terminology used for a particular implant or device, it is imperative that this particular information on the form be discussed during the verbal interview.

After the comprehensive screening procedure is completed, a patient that is transferred by a stretcher, gurney, or wheelchair to the MR system room should be checked thoroughly for metallic objects such as ferromagnetic oxygen tanks, monitors, sand bags with metal shot, or other objects that could pose a hazard. Obviously, only nonferromagnetic stretchers, gurneys, wheelchairs and accessories should be allowed into the MR system room.

Magnetic Resonance (MR) Environment Screening for Individuals

Before any non-patient individual (e.g., MRI technologist, physician, relative, visitor, allied healthcare professional, maintenance worker, custodial worker, fire fighter, security officer, etc.) is allowed into the MR environment, he or she must be screened by an MR-safety trained healthcare professional. Proper screening for individuals involves the use of a printed form to document the procedure, a review of the information on the form, and a verbal interview to verify the information on the form and to allow discussion of any question or concern that the individual may have before being permitted into the MR environment.

Important Note: If for any reason the individual undergoing screening may need to enter the MR system and, thus, become exposed to the electromagnetic fields used for an MR procedure, this person must be screened using the Magnetic Resonance (MR) Procedure Screening Form for Patients.

In general, magnetic resonance (MR) screening forms were developed with patients in mind and, therefore, tend to pose many questions that are inappropriate or confusing to other individuals that may need to enter the MR environment. Therefore, a screening form was created specifically for individuals that need to enter the MR environment and/or MR system room. This form, entitled, Magnetic Resonance (MR) Environment Screening Form for Individuals was developed in conjunction with the Medical, Scientific, and Technology Advisory Board and the Corporate Advisory Board of the Institute for Magnetic Resonance Safety, Education, and Research (IMRSER). A “downloadable” version of this form may be obtained from the web sites, www.IMRSER.org and www.MRIsafety.com.

At the top of this form, the following statement is displayed:
“The MR system has a very strong magnetic field that may be hazardous to individuals entering the MR environment or MR system room if they have certain metallic, electronic, magnetic, or mechanical implants, devices, or objects. Therefore, all individuals are required to fill out this form BEFORE entering the MR environment or MR system room. Be advised, the MR system magnet is ALWAYS on.”

The screening form for individuals requests general information (name, age, address, etc.) and poses important questions to determine if there are possible problems or issues that should be discussed with the individual prior to permitting entry to the MR environment.

A warning statement is also provided on the form, as follows: “WARNING: Certain implants, devices, or objects may be hazardous to you in the MR environment or MR system room. Do not enter the MR environment or MR system room if you have any question or concern regarding an implant, device, or object.”

In addition, there is a section that lists implants, devices, and objects to identify the presence of an object that may be hazardous to an individual in the MR environment (e.g., an aneurysm clip, cardiac pacemaker, implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), electronic or magnetically activated device, metallic foreign body, etc).

Finally, there is an Important Instructions section on the form that states: “Remove all metallic objects before entering the MR environment or MR system room including hearing aids, beeper, cell phone, keys, eyeglasses, hair pins, barrettes, jewelry (including body piercing jewelry), watch, safety pins, paperclips, money clip, credit cards, bank cards, magnetic strip cards, coins, pens, pocket knife, nail clipper, steel-toed boots/shoes, and tools. Loose metallic objects are especially prohibited in the MR system room and MR environment. Please consult the MRI Technologist or Radiologist if you have any question or concern BEFORE you enter the MR system room.”

The proper use of this written form along with thorough verbal screening of the individual by an MR safety trained healthcare worker will prevent accidents and injuries in the MR environment.

REFERENCES

Expert Panel on MR Safety, Kanal E, Barkovich AJ, Bell C, et al. ACR guidance document on MR safe practices: 2013. J Magn Reson Imag 2013;37:501-30.

Sawyer-Glover A, Shellock FG. Pre-Magnetic Resonance Procedure Screening, In: Magnetic Resonance Procedures: Health Effects and Safety, FG Shellock, Editor, CRC Press, LLC, Boca Raton, FL, 2001.

Sawyer-Glover A, Shellock FG. Pre-MRI procedure screening: recommendations and safety considerations for biomedical implants and devices. J Magn Reson Imag 2000;12:92-106.

Shellock FG. Biomedical implants and devices: Assessment of magnetic field interactions with a 3.0-Tesla MR system. J Magn Reson Imag 2002;16:721-732.

Shellock FG. MR safety update 2002: Implants and devices. J Magn Reson Imag 2002;16:485-496.

Shellock FG, Crues JV. Commentary. MR safety and the American College of Radiology White Paper. Am J Roentgenol 2002;178:1349-1352.

Shellock FG, Crues JV. MR procedures: Biologic effects, safety, and patient care. Radiology 2004;232:635-652.

Shellock FG, Kanal E. Policies, guidelines, and recommendations for MR imaging safety and patient management. J Magn Reson Imag 1991;1:97-101.

Shellock FG, Kanal E. SMRI Report. Policies, guidelines and recommendations for MR imaging safety and patient management. Questionnaire for screening patients before MR procedures. J Magn Reson Imag 1994;4:749-751, 1994.

Shellock FG, Spinazzi A. MRI safety update: 2008, Part 2, Screening patients for MRI. Am J Roentgenol 2008;191:12-21.

www.acr.org; the website for the American College of Radiology

www.IMRSER.org; website for the Institute for Magnetic Resonance Safety, Education, and Research