New American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) Monograph on MRI Suite Safety Calls for the Use of Ferromagnetic Detectors and Features Products from Mednovus
The American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) just released its fifth management monograph for 2008. This title 'Designing and Engineering MRI Safety', authored by architect and president of Mednovus, Tobias Gilk, identifies the major physical and operational hazards that effective MRI suite planning can mitigate. From cryogen releases to the all-too-frequent magnetic projectile accidents, the monograph identifies unique MRI risks and provides strategies to promote safety in design.
Leucadia, CA, December 17, 2008 --(PR.com)-- In December, the American Society of Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) released 'Designing and Engineering MRI Safety,' a monograph intended to improve the safety of the MRI suite for the benefit of patients and caregivers. This new resource, authored by Tobias Gilk, President and MRI Safety Director for Mednovus, consolidates a number of the safety considerations that facility managers, specialty equipment planners, architects and engineers can influence.
"This needed to be done," offered Gilk. "The FDA has recorded astounding growth in MRI-related accidents over the last several years and we're on track for another 20% increase in 2008. It's clear that the physical environment plays a role in safety, so ASHE published this monograph to help planners and designers better address their part of the safety equation."
The document combines information that had previously been far-flung, from MRI vendors, industry trade groups, government sources, radiology professional associations and accrediting bodies, into a single unified document intended to inform those involved in MRI equipment planning.
'Designing and Engineering MRI Safety' touches on each of the major physical risk factors, from exposure to cryogenic liquids found inside most clinical MRI systems to the tendency for the enormously powerful electromagnets to draw ferromagnetic materials with tremendous force.
After identifying the major hazards, the monograph provides elemental design recommendations which can help reduce the risks of accidents and injuries in the MRI suite. These recommendations include establishing line-of-sight control over the entrance to the MRI scanner room, specialized HVAC layouts, and the use of ferromagnetic detection systems to pre-screen persons and equipment approaching the MRI magnet.
"Some of these recommendations in the monograph were established 'best practice' that simply haven't been effectively communicated to the design community before," said Gilk. "But some of it, most notably ferromagnetic detection, are new developments that can offer significant improvements above what we could do just a few years ago. All of this needs to be in the hands of healthcare providers and their designers."
The new monograph is available to ASHE members through the organization's website
( http://www.ashe.org/ashe/products/pubs/mg2008gilk.html ). Non-members can read a short excerpt on the MRImetalDetector.com blog page ( http://mrimetaldetector.com/blog/?p=225 ) or can contact ASHE to inquire about purchasing copies.
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The American Society for Healthcare Engineering is a part of the American Hospital Association and is dedicated to the optimization of the healthcare environment.
Mednovus, Inc. is a company that offers ferromagnetic detection equipment for pre-screening in addition to MRI safety consulting services.
"This needed to be done," offered Gilk. "The FDA has recorded astounding growth in MRI-related accidents over the last several years and we're on track for another 20% increase in 2008. It's clear that the physical environment plays a role in safety, so ASHE published this monograph to help planners and designers better address their part of the safety equation."
The document combines information that had previously been far-flung, from MRI vendors, industry trade groups, government sources, radiology professional associations and accrediting bodies, into a single unified document intended to inform those involved in MRI equipment planning.
'Designing and Engineering MRI Safety' touches on each of the major physical risk factors, from exposure to cryogenic liquids found inside most clinical MRI systems to the tendency for the enormously powerful electromagnets to draw ferromagnetic materials with tremendous force.
After identifying the major hazards, the monograph provides elemental design recommendations which can help reduce the risks of accidents and injuries in the MRI suite. These recommendations include establishing line-of-sight control over the entrance to the MRI scanner room, specialized HVAC layouts, and the use of ferromagnetic detection systems to pre-screen persons and equipment approaching the MRI magnet.
"Some of these recommendations in the monograph were established 'best practice' that simply haven't been effectively communicated to the design community before," said Gilk. "But some of it, most notably ferromagnetic detection, are new developments that can offer significant improvements above what we could do just a few years ago. All of this needs to be in the hands of healthcare providers and their designers."
The new monograph is available to ASHE members through the organization's website
( http://www.ashe.org/ashe/products/pubs/mg2008gilk.html ). Non-members can read a short excerpt on the MRImetalDetector.com blog page ( http://mrimetaldetector.com/blog/?p=225 ) or can contact ASHE to inquire about purchasing copies.
###
The American Society for Healthcare Engineering is a part of the American Hospital Association and is dedicated to the optimization of the healthcare environment.
Mednovus, Inc. is a company that offers ferromagnetic detection equipment for pre-screening in addition to MRI safety consulting services.
Contact
Mednovus, Inc.
Tobias Gilk
800.788.0617
www.Mednovus.com
Tobias Gilk
800.788.0617
www.Mednovus.com
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