Preventing Infection in MRI

Healthcare- and community- associated infections are a major and growing
problem in the United States as well as throughout the world.
Healthcare associated infections (HAI’s) constitute a major public health
problem in the United States affecting 5 to 10 percent of hospitalized patients
annually, resulting in approximately 2 million cases of HAI’s , 90,000 deaths
and adding $4.5 to $5.7 billion in healthcare costs1,2.

Most patients with serious infections typically have some type of imaging
procedure performed during the course of their treatment. Radiology
departments and outpatient imaging centers must take appropriate action to
assure patients that their MRI scanner is not a significant hub for
microorganisms capable of causing infectious diseases. However, for a
multitude of reasons, MRI suites often lack the most basic of safeguards
against infection, where, due to its unique environment, it is extremely
difficult to implement and maintain an effective infection control policy.
Because of the dangers from extremely strong magnetic fields 3, as
demonstrated by a well-publicized patient death from an accident in an MRI
4,5, housekeeping staff and most cleaning equipment are usually prohibited
from entering the MRI suite. The resultant lack of thorough cleaning was
clearly demonstrated in a recent study from Ireland that cultured MRSA
from within the bore of the MRI system6.

complete article and video at: Patient Comfort Systems