Thorough MRI safety screening, to identify any internal implants or foreign bodies (FB), is essential for anyone entering the MRI environment. Screening is used to determine the presence of any MRI contraindications and allow the MRI status of any medical implants to be investigated so they can be scanned under the correct conditions. In 2018, […]
Hannah Barnsley
The Royal Marsden, Chelsea
Originating from the US Army in World War II, battle buddies ensured that soldiers had someone to watch their back, provide emotional support and share decision making. Having been adopted by the military, aviation and the police force, healthcare and in particular nursing has now welcomed this support model, which has proven to be a […]
Joanne Roebuck
Spire Claremont Hospital
Quality assurance (QA) is essential to ensure the safety of patients, through checking the integrity, function and accuracy of equipment, and is mandatory under the Health and Social Care Act. A QA programme is also required by inspecting bodies and accreditation schemes such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Quality Standard for Imaging (QSI). […]
Dr Nick Dudley
Multi-Medix
While MRI is generally very safe, undergoing an MRI scan can present multiple risks to patients with certain implants. Given that between a quarter and a third of patients who present for their MRI scan will have an implant, assessing patient suitability for MRI and managing this risk can pose a significant challenge. Ideally the […]
John McLean, Sarah Prescott, Jonathan Ashmore
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; University Hospitals of North Midlands; NHS Highland
Radiation has played a crucial role in medicine ever since the discovery of x-rays a hundred years ago. Today technology takes centre stage in continuing the advancement. However, any use of radiation has an associated risk. Evidence for this comes from epidemiological studies of populations exposed to high doses of radiation. Radiation protection practice has […]
Colin Martin
University of Glasgow
In 1942 Dr Saul Hertz used 131I radioiodine (RAI) to treat thyroid disease. Although theragnostics (also known as theranostics) was a term not invented at that time, Dr Hertz was using g-rays from RAI as a tracer and diagnostic biomarker, and its b particles for therapy, so he can be regarded as a pioneer. 131I […]
Dr Chris Mayes
Royal Liverpool University Hospital
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 […]
Barbara Nugent
MRI Safety Matters
Radioiodine therapy has been used successfully for more than 60 years. The treatment of thyroid diseases is one of the most frequent medical uses of radioactivity that results in radiation exposure to family and others. Protocols for treatment with I-131 differ slightly from country to country and from hospital to hospital, with varied radioactivities being […]
Dr Aida Hallam, Darren Morgan
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust