Two very famous tag lines from two different fictional characters that for many has probably resonated in their memory for life.
The first being from “Lost in Space”, the 1960’s television series of the Robinson family and their space exploration peril in which features a robot who served not only as a futuristic technological mentor but was also young Will Robinson’s protector – “Danger Will Robinson – Danger! Secondly, “Star Wars” and the many sequels that followed where forged by Obi –Wan Kenobi’s overwhelming extension of power – “May the force be with you!
Both of these two most prolific and generational catch phrases have a direct relationship whenever the HTM service professional may be performing in the diagnostic modality area of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The silent but ever present power of the MRI magnet is a technological imaging advancement and at the same time a significant and potential life threating danger to those not respecting its stealthy prowess. The field of the “ramped up” magnet is always present with its lines of flux extending out like a “high power vacuum” ready to pull in any and all ferrous objects at the speed of sound! The “MRI safe” tools and test equipment used around this high field of magnetism not to mention the requirement of “physically screening” the HTM service professional (i.e. metal implants, pace makers and other in bedded ferrous objects) that may perform in this high power magnetic field environment is safety priority #1! No joke – this is serious safety stuff! People could and unfortunately have been seriously injured by not following simple precautionary screening methods prior to entering the MRI suite and its powerful “silent” field of ultimate strength.
Looking across this vast countries many HTM service shops, either in-house or outsourced, I will make a bold and educated statement – less than probably 40% ever annually in-service their team members as to MRI safety precautions. This is and should be a concerning statement – please prove me wrong! I want to hear from you – the HTM service team shops that are performing on an annual basis MRI safety in-servicing educational sessions. For the overwhelmingly many teams that are not, please start incorporating this very important safety training into your annual educational planning. As Obi – Wan Kenobi reminds us “May the force be with you – and respected!