Preventing Abnormal Safety Events in MRI Examinations Using HFMEA

INTRODUCTION

    The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination environment requires static magnetic fields, pulsed gradient magnetic fields, and radio frequency pulses that are 30,000 to 60,000 times stronger than the Earth's magnetic field. These interact with body tissues and equipment under examination and may produce movement, torsion forces, and equipment damage. Increased temperature, muscle and nerve stimulation, and loud noise may cause serious injury or even death to the patient during the examination.

   Therefore, the Health Failure Mode & Effect Analysis (HFMEA) method is used to analyze high-risk factors in the examination process and to develop countermeasures for specific causes to minimize high-risk events that may endanger patient safety when entering the MRI examination room.