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
Using ferromagnetic sound recording equipment in Magnet Room 067 Rare Minor Low
Using MRI phantoms 036 Rare Minor Low
Using the B. Braun SpaceStation in the MRI environment (INS and QEUH specific) 068 Rare Major Medium
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
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
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