The need for a universal template to harmonise MRI incident reports

MRI is considered a relatively safe modality where almost all risks and hazards can be mitigated by appropriate controls. However, it is widely acknowledged that, for many reasons, the number of incidents reported is likely to be a small percentage of the true number that has occurred. From that perspective, it is questionable whether any […]MRI is considered a relatively safe modality where almost all risks and hazards can be mitigated by appropriate controls. However, it is widely acknowledged that, for many reasons, the number of incidents reported is likely to be a small percentage of the true number that has occurred. From that perspective, it is questionable whether any service where the number of adverse events is unknown can be considered ‘relatively safe’. In comparison, the percentage of CT safety incidents reported may reflect a more accurate number as there is a mandatory element to such reporting. In the UK, when there is a significant accidental or unintended overexposure, such incidents must be reported in accordance with the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2017. The regulations evolved as the dangers to health caused by medical radiation became known. While proving that a CT overexposure has caused a tumour or death could be difficult, proving that an injury or fatality has been caused by a projectile, is obvious. Even though ferromagnetic incidents appear to continue with some regularity, the same emphasis on their cause and effect as is focused on radiation incidents, is not. Analysing trends in CT adverse events is achievable because reliable statistics exist and the data is publicly available. By comparison, analysing MRI incidents is more difficult. There are few sites reporting MRI incidents in the same way and, unlike serious CT incidents, no regulatory body mandates that the MRI workforce reports MRI incidents. While MRI system manufacturers are obliged to report adverse events, reporting adverse MRI events by others can only be recommended by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the organisation tasked with ensuring the safety of MRI as a medical device and associated equipment in the UK. To ensure full incident disclosure, perhaps the same emphasis should be made on MRI incident reporting as has been established for CT to make sure that MRI incidents are recorded. The risks and hazards of any imaging modality can only be realised if accurate incident figures are available.

The content on this page is provided by the individuals concerned and does not represent the views or opinions of RAD Magazine.