How to Use Equipment Safely in the MR Environment

The following recommendations will help ensure the safe use of equipment in the magnetic resonance (MR) environment—a setting that poses a variety of risks and thus must be approached with care. These recommendations are based on ECRI's experiences investigating MR incidents and are in general agreement with the American College of Radiology (ACR) Guidance Document on MR Safe Practices.

1. The implementation and management of MR safety measures in an MR facility should be shared between the following appointed positions:

a) MR medical director (MRMD): Assumes overall responsibility for the MR imaging suite. This individual is a licensed physician/radiologist with appropriate training in MR and MR safety.

b) MR safety officer (MRSO): Oversees safety practices within a defined component of the MR practice at all times

c) MR safety expert (MRSE): A resource for the MRMD and MRSO for nonmedical MR safety issues. This person may be external to the institution (e.g.,...