MRI experts to discuss the power of standardisation, simulation and emergency communication at October’s safety day
The MRI Safety Update and Innovations Day 2026, organised by MRI Safety Matters, takes place at the Royal College of Physicians, London, on October 31. Among the presenters are retired American MRI technologist and S&S System Designs co-founder Shari Railton, whose virtual presentation will describe how a tragic work incident shaped her view on MRI safety practices and highlighted a critical gap in the devices available to call for urgent help in the scan room.
In 2005, while working alone, a patient became unresponsive in the scanner bore. With no means of summoning immediate help from the scan room or removing the patient quickly by herself, Railton had to leave her patient to call the emergency code system. “It hit me that I had no means of getting immediate help from the patient’s side or even from within the scan room.”
The environment of an MRI room means conventional alarm systems are difficult to install and only first responders trained in combating the risks of this modality should enter. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, the patient died. The experience was the catalyst for creating the Imaging Tech Alarm System, developed with electrical engineer Sid Perkins.
Hearing about her experience will be a reminder to those working in MRI of the dangers of working alone and why being able to call for urgent help is so vital. Railton will also highlight the importance of MRI safety trained first responders, the need for clear emergency procedures and for regular practice of those procedures.
Corsmed has developed an MRI simulator designed to closely replicate the MRI scanner console experience. It allows users to adjust scanning parameters, test protocols and observe how changes affect image quality, resolution, scan time, artefacts and patient heating in a risk-free learning environment. “The easiest way to think about the Corsmed MRI Simulator is that it is like having a personal MRI scanner on your laptop,” CEO and co-founder Erik Jacobsson said. The simulator was developed to complement existing education and clinical training, particularly where access to hands-on practice can be limited.
Jacobsson will discuss how simulation technology can support scan operators to build confidence, test concepts and develop skills more quickly. He will also explore how MRI departments and universities use simulation to support training, competence and team development. Delegates are eligible to receive up to 40 hours of access to the Corsmed MRI Simulator and premium learning content for 12 months.
Consultant clinical scientist at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Dr Cormac McGrath will present virtually at the event. As head of the Non-Ionising Radiation Group for the Northern Ireland Regional Medical Physics Service, Dr McGrath is the lead MRI safety expert for five NHS trusts. He is also a former chair of the IPEM Magnetic Resonance Special Interest Group and formed and chaired the IPEM working party that produced the MRI Safety Notices.
Dr McGrath’s presentation will discuss the journey behind the MRI Safety Notices and practical initiatives designed to improve and standardise MRI safety communication across departments. Reflecting on the need for standardisation, he said early work in this area found MRI safety signage to be highly inconsistent, with some signs incorrect, poorly presented or not aligned to recognised standards. “Clarity of messaging has been key. Plus, it reduces the need for everyone to reinvent the wheel,” he said. The presentation will explore standardised MRI controlled access area maps, MRI scanner specification notices to support implant queries, magnetic field isocontouring and standardised safety notices.
Read this report on page 14 of the October 2026 issue of RAD Magazine.
