MRSO Exam Prep with Questions and Answers MR Safety Officer responsibilities - Answer The role of MRSO is often carried out by the senior Radiographer (in the USA this will generally be an MR technologist), but other suitably trained individuals could also fill this role. Multiple MRSOs could be appointed, provided only one is in charge at a given time. His/her responsibilities include the following: To be readily accessible and available (eg, to the operators of the MR system ) at all times that the MR facility is accessible. Ensuring that proper policies and procedures for day-today MR safety are enforced. Developing, documenting, and introducing, in conjunction with and unde r the authority of the MRMD/MRRD, safe working procedures for the MR environment. Ensuring that adequate written safety procedures, work instructions, emergency procedures, and operating instructions are issued to all concerned after full consultation with the MRMD/MRRD (and, if/as needed, the MRSE). Ensuring that appropriate measures for minimizing risks to health that arise from the use of or exposure to the MR equipment, as per the direction of the MRMD/MRRD, are implemented and monitored. Managing hazards posed by the MR equipment, and monitoring the measure s taken to protect against such hazards. Ensuring that all Heads of Departments and senior medical staff members who are responsible for personnel who will be involved with the MR system are informed of the formal procedures for training and authorization. Ensuring that medical, technical, nursing, and all other relevant staff grou ps (including ancillary workers) who may be exposed to the MR environment are educated appropriately on a regular basis as to the safety requirements and updated as necessary. Maintaining records of the personnel who have been educated appropriately as to the safety requirements. Consulting the MRMD/MRRD (and/or the MRSE) when further advice is required regarding MR safety. Reporting back to the MRMD/MRRD in a timely fashion any and all MR safety-related issues. Ensuring that there is a clear policy for the purchasing, testing, and marking of all equipment that will be taken into the MR-related critical areas. Providing and/or ensuring the provision of MR safety education and training in cooperation with, and as per the policies of the MRMD/MRRD. Providing safety advice regarding the selection, procurement, and installation o f MR-related equipment (in consultation with the MRSE, if/as needed). Providing safety advice on the modification of MR protocols (in consultation wit h the MRSE, if/as needed). Maintaining regular contact with other relevant groups or committees responsible for the safety and welfare of personnel on site, such as, but not limited to, the local ethics committee and the local safety committee. Magnetophosphenes - Answer A Sensory Symptom where the subject sees flashing lights caused by an induced electrical current in the retina when exposed to a strong magnetic field. Bo - Answer Static magnetic field direction dBo/Dx - Answer Gradient magnetic field - Change in Magnetic Field / change in distance American Board of Magnetic Resonance Safety ABMRS provides MR Safety Credentialing for: - Answer MR Medical Director (MRMD) MR Safety Officers (MRSO) MR Safety Experts (MRSE) The MRMD certification is designed for: - Answer physicians, such as radiologists, who have responsibility for the safe administration of MR exams. The MRSO certification is designed for: - Answer those with a supervisory MRI safety role at the point of care. While not exclusive to technologists, this rol e is most frequently be filled by an MR technologist. The MRSE certification is designed for: - Answer those in an expert, technical consulting role who may help determine the safety of complex conditions . While not exclusive to MR medical physicists, this role is most frequently filled by a medical physicist. The following types of injury can and have occurred during the MRI scanning process: (8) - Answer 1. "Missile effect" or "projectile" injury in which ferromagnetic objects (those having magnetic properties) such as ink pe ns, wheelchairs, and oxygen canisters are pulled into the MRI scanner at rapid velocity. 2. Injury related to dislodged ferromagnetic implants such as aneurysm clips, pins in joints, and drug infusion devices. 3. Burns from objects that may heat during the MRI process, such as wires (including lead wires for both implants and external devices) and surgical staples, or from the patient's body touching the inside walls (the bore) of the MRI scanner during the scan. (2) 4. Injury or complication related to equipment or device malfunction or failure caused by the magnetic field. For example, battery-powered devices (laryngoscopes, microinfusion pumps, monitors, etc.) can suddenly fail to operate; some programmable infusion pumps may perform erratically; (3) and pacemakers and implantable defibrillators may not behave as programmed. 5. Injury or complication due to failure to attend to patient support syste ms during the MRI. This is especially true for patient sedation or anesthesia in MRI arenas. For example, oxygen canisters or infusion pumps run out and staff must either leave the MRI area to retrieve a replacement or move the patient to an area w here a replacement can be found. 6. Acoustic injury from the loud knocking noise that the MRI scanner make s. 7. Adverse events related to the administration of MRI contrast agents. 8. Adverse events related to cryogen handling, storage, or inadvertent release in superconducting MR imaging system sites.