A range of risk assessments have been conducted for commonly occurring circumstances in MRI. A summary of the risk assessment findings are shown. Where relevant, links to generic implant policies can be found by clicking on individual assessments. Links to full risk assessments can be downloaded by clicking on the QPulse document number but please note that to ensure you are downloading the latest version of the MRI risk assessments, please download from QPulse by searching “[MRI]” (including the square brackets).
Risk assessments relating to the MR unit | ||||
Risk assessment | ||||
Assessment name | QPulse code (DR-GGC-RISK-***) |
Likelihood | Severity | Risk outcome |
Cryogen | 049 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Direct field effects | TBC | ? | ? | ? |
Fire in the MRI unit | 048 | Rare | Major | Medium |
Flood | 053 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Fringe field overspill into control room (RAH specific) | 069 | Rare | Minor | Low |
General anaesthesia sessions in MRI | 064 | Unlikely | Moderate | Medium |
Missile effect | 071 | Unlikely | Major | Medium |
Oxygen cylinders | 037 | Unlikely | Major | Medium |
RF magnet room door failure | 086 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Servicing of GA equipment in the MRI room | 047 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Unauthorised entry into the MR Environment of the Hyperfine Swoop scanner | 211 | Rare | Major | Medium |
Using ferromagnetic sound recording equipment in Magnet Room | 067 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Using MRI infusion pump capsules in the MRI environment | 068 | Rare | Major | Medium |
Using MRI phantoms | 036 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Vertigo | 041 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Risk assessments relating to staff | ||||
Risk assessment | ||||
Assessment name | QPulse code (DR-GGC-RISK-***) |
Likelihood | Severity | Risk outcome |
Acoustic noise exposure to staff or accompanying person | 045 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Domestic staff | 052 | Rare | Major | Medium |
Lone working (not currently needed) | 059 | Likely | Major | High |
Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) within the MRI Unit | 063 | Rare | Negligible | Low |
Pregnant staff | 004 | Rare | Negligible | Low |
Risk assessments relating to patients (non-implant) | ||||
Risk assessment | ||||
Assessment name | QPulse code (DR-GGC-RISK-***) |
Likelihood | Severity | Risk outcome |
Acoustic noise | 034 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Cables or wires from monitoring equipment during MRI | 062 | Unlikely | Major | Medium |
Cardiac arrest | 038 | Rare | Major | Medium |
Contact burns during MRI | 072 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Dermal piercings | 054 | Rare | Moderate | Medium |
GBCAs | 044 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Hair extensions | 032 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Hyperfine Swoop – use of MR Unlabelled monitoring equipment | 209 | Rare | Negligible | Low |
Incomplete medical history | 073 | Unlikely | Major | Medium |
Patients at risk of self-harm | 035 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Patient transfers (MRI scans of patients brought from other hospitals) | 057 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Pregnant patients who are not receiving a GBCA | 056 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Pregnant patients beyond Normal Mode who are not receiving a GBCA | 050 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Pregnant patients requiring GBCAs | 039 | Rare | Major | Medium |
Pregnant patients (acoustic noise exposure) | 061 | Rare | Major | Medium |
Prisoner scanning | 065 (Refer to QPULSE or contact: ggc.mrsafetyexpert@nhs.scot) | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Silver dressings | 087 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Tattoos in MRI | 040 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Tattoos or make-up with metal in it | 046 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Tattoos in MRI while under GA | 058 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Risk assessments relating to patients (implants) | ||||
Risk assessment | ||||
Assessment name | QPulse code (DR-GGC-RISK-***) |
Likelihood | Severity | Risk outcome |
Aneurysm clips | 016 | Rare | Major | Medium |
Breast implants | 005 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Clips | 022 | Rare | Negligible | Low |
Coronary stents (single) | 020 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Coronary stents (multiple) | 019 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Coronary stents (when the MR conditional criteria is exceeded) | 018 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Embolisation coils and embolic devices/agents | 083 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Gastric Bands | 026 | Unlikely | Minor | Medium |
Glucose Monitors | 077 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Heart valves | 055 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Insulin pumps | 078 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices (IUDs) | 024 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Lens implant | 212 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Orbital foreign body | 028 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Orthopaedic implants (fixed, internal and passive) | 014 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Orthopaedic implants under general anaesthetic (fixed, internal and passive) | 033 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Orthopaedic implants (fixed, external and passive) | 023 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Pacemakers (MRI conditional) | 021 | Rare | Extreme | Medium |
Pacemakers with no cardiologist present | 043 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Pacemakers – off-label scanning of patients with MRI Conditional pacemakers due to the presence of a cardiac loop recorder (reveal device) | 066 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Pacemakers – off-label scanning of patients with MRI Conditional pacemakers due to the presence of a coronary stent or stent(s) | 042 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Passive implants in low field MRI | 208 | Rare | Negligible | Low |
Pulmonary Artery Bands (PABs) | 197 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Shunts (non-programmable) | 015 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Skin staples | 025 | Rare | Negligible | Low |
Stents (biliary stents inserted in GRI, QEUH and RAH) | 075 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Stents (non coronary vascular stents) | 206 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Sternal wires and fixation devices | 204 | Rare | Minor | Low |
Temporary epicardial pacing wires | 203 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Vagal Nerve Stimulators (VNS) Devices | 051 | Unlikely | Moderate | Medium |
Vagal Nerve Stimulators (VNS) Devices while under GA | 070 | Unlikely | Moderate | Medium |
COSHH risk assessments (Work Instructions for chemical spillages) | ||||
Risk assessment | ||||
Assessment name | QPulse code (DR-GGC-RISK-***) |
Likelihood | Severity | Risk outcome |
Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents (GBCAs) | 079 | Unlikely | Negligible | Low |
GE MRI phantoms | 081 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Philips MRI phantoms | 082 | Rare | Moderate | Low |
Siemens MRI phantoms | 080 | Rare | Moderate | Low |