Charlotte Bell, M.D., Associate
Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University School
of Medicine
A recent accident with a projectile oxygen tank
within the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suite resulted in a
fatal injury to a small boy. This untoward and widely publicized
event prompted the American College of Radiology (ACR) to form a
Blue Ribbon Panel on MR Safety to develop national guidelines for
improving patient safety in the MRI suite. The panel consists of
academic and clinical radiologists with expertise in MR, radiology
nurses and technologists, members of industry, a representative
from the FDA, and ACR administrators. The APSF was invited to send
a representative for input in the specific areas of sedation and
monitoring.
The following report details information needed
by anesthesiologists to provide safe care within the MR Suite (see
outline below for topics). Links to other locations (including the
published ACR Guidelines for MR Safety) and an extensive bibliography
are included at the conclusion of this article. The delivery of
general anesthesia and sedation for procedures away from the operating
room are considered beyond the scope of this article, although links
to these topics have been included.
