Safety Zones and Standards in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging is a medical technique widely accepted in Medicine. It raises new questions and paradigms to safety standards. Magnetic resonance imaging uses three types of electromagnetic fields for its operation: a static magnetic fields, time-varying gradient fields and radiofrequencies fields. With new technology, static magnetic fields used in magnetic resonance will increase its field strength. So, the introduction of safety zones and standards in magnetic resonance is vital for better practices. American College of Radiology introduced four conceptual safety zones with personnel entrance restrictions Zone 1 includes areas freely accessed. Zone 2 is where patients and other non-MRI personnel are screened before entering the following two zones. Zone 3 has total supervision of MRI personnel and it is the transition for the entrance to the equipment room-zone 4. Patients with implantable medical devices must be well screened before undergo to magnetic resonance examination, due to potential effects and hazards from the different electromagnetic fields used in magnetic resonance imaging. So, better knowledge on safety zones and different standards are vital for safety practices both for patients and workers.