Anaesthetists Handbook - MEDICAL EDUCATION at University ...

Miscellaneous issuesMR safety of staff escorting the critical care patient and theanaesthetist• The MRI scanner has a very powerful magnetic field, which isstrong enough to pull scissors, pens etc out of pockets and intothe scanner at high speed. The scanner will also interfere withelectrical equipment (e.g. syringe drivers).• Nothing ferromagnetic (including oxygen cylinders and thepatient trolley) can be taken into the MRI scanner room.• Anyone needing to enter the scanner room will need to fill out ascreening questionnaire, and remove all loose metallic objects,bleeps, credit cards and analogue watches before entering thescanner room.Patient preparation• Only the arterial line monitor is compatible with MRI; all othermonitoring and gas delivery will need to utilise MRI departmentlines and equipment.• Disconnect syringe drivers if possible. If you require that theyare not disconnected they can be placed just inside the scannerroom door. Be aware that they are a projectile risk and couldmalfunction if moved closer to the scanner.MRI monitoring and anaesthetic equipment• Talk to the radiographer about what you want monitored and themost appropriate place for the monitoring unit.• Decide whether you wish to stay in the scanner with the patientduring scanning (recommended unless you are pregnant) orwish to leave the room. You may wish to use the patientheadphone (and the patient earplugs) so you can talk to themduring scanning.• Set up the MRI anaesthetic unit as you require.212 Anaesthetists Handbook January 2010