Corewell Health

Tyson Stewart MBA RT (R)(MR)

MRI Safety has always been and remains at the forefront of safety programs at diagnostic imaging departments and centers worldwide. Over the past decade, we’ve seen an increase in standards to keep our patients and team members safer in an environment riddled with risk. There has been a substantial increase in MRI-safe or conditional devices that allow more patients to receive the benefits of an MRI scan. We also have a better understanding of other MRI-related injuries such as thermal burns, acoustic safety, and anxiety management. Implant vendors are increasingly reporting and communicating the safety status of implanted devices making it easier for MRI staff to determine whether a patient is a candidate for MRI. MRI is safer than it has ever been for our patients.

The next frontier in MRI safety is reducing the amount of time it takes to acquire the image data used to compose the clinical images interpreted by our radiologists. Imaging departments around the world have long worked to balance the need for adequate data for interpretation and the need for reduced scan times. Unfortunately, this strategy leaves the radiologist with fewer images for diagnosis. Software breakthroughs that allow better image quality, artifact reduction, or motion correction often add time to the MRI scan. The benefits of these software tools outweigh the risk presented to the patient by being in the MRI environment, especially with consistent and dependable MRI safety practices. These safety practices become more difficult to maintain with the growth of MRI utilization, especially with emergent, critical care, and patients under heavy sedation or anesthesia. These patient populations require additional work for the MRI team to research, gather medical history, and communicate directly and clearly. The safest scenario for these patients is to get them in for their scan and out of the MRI scan environment as quickly and carefully as possible.

“There has been a substantial increase in MRI-safe or conditional devices that allow more patients to receive the benefits of an MRI scan.”

Currently, we are seeing a rapid acceleration in AI, image reconstruction, and machine learning in radiology that is already making a positive impact on the amount of time a patient is in the MRI scanner. Manufacturers understand the need for efficiency which helps throughput and ultimately improves access to services. While these breakthroughs help with cost by presenting better ROIs on equipment, I believe we should all view MRI efficiency as an MRI safety opportunity. Reduced time in the MRI scanner will reduce incidents or thermal or acoustic injuries to MRI patients, especially those with a diminished ability to communicate. Shorter scan times will also decrease the likelihood of a projectile entering the scan room via technologists or nurses needing to enter to check on the patient multiple times during the exam. Faster sequences also reduce time spent under anesthesia and sedation for patients that need it to complete the exam. Deep learningmay also reduce or eliminate the need for contrast injection which presents the patient with additional risk such as kidney injury and may reduce the number of sequences needed at the same time.

It is truly an exciting time in medical imaging and health care in general with the acceleration of sophisticated software and AI poised to enhance and compliment how our care givers treat and care for patients. In the MRI space, I implore my fellow health care leaders to leverage these technologies not just as efficiency gains, but as a part of our MRI safety strategies.