From the October 2014 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Ferromagnetic protection systems
Ferromagnetic Detection Systems are quickly gaining popularity as useful tools to enhance the security and safety around MR suites as it pertains to ferromagnetic materials. Historically, the introduction of ferrous materials to an MR has resulted in problems from imaging issues, to more serious situations such as severe damage to the equipment or even serious harm to a patient or staff.
While ferromagnetic detection systems provide an opportunity to enhance the security and safety around an MR suite, both the type of technology chosen and the manner that the ferromagnetic detection system is implemented drive the overall benefits derived from an installation.
There are two different classes of ferromagnetic detectors, mass screeners intended to screen the subject all at once, and targeted or localized screeners, that detect in a focal area. We will begin by discussing the different applications of mass screeners — where and how they can be integrated into a suite.
Mass screeners
There are several ways that mass ferromagnetic detection systems may be implemented. The first is as a prescreen device to help check the individual concurrent with the screening process (prior to bringing the patient into the controlled access area).Essentially, a facility would take a patient through all the normal screening procedures and, as an additional step in the screening procedure, would have a patient pass through a highly sensitive ferromagnetic detection system intended to detect anything from larger ferrous objects (e.g. pocket knives, or cell phones) to smaller objects (e.g. nail clippers, jewelry, or hairpins).
The second application involves the use of a ferromagnetic detection system as a screener at the entryway to the MRI suite. This application can help catch elements missed in the conventional patient screening, and materials being brought to the suite by persons who have circumvented the screening process, altogether, such as transport personnel, respiratory/anesthesia (or other clinical personnel), or even housekeeping staff. Particularly in retrofit situations, there are often limitations with this type of application that are dependent upon where it is employed at the entryway of the controlled access portion of the suite (Zone 3), or at the doorway to the scanner room (Zone 4), and the specific technology utilized in the ferromagnetic detection system which is employed.
