How Important Are Quality MRI Parts and Preventative Maintenance for Your Machine?

Damaged or worn out MRI parts can cause your machine to be inoperable possibly for days. This results in lost profitability and productivity. It is important to ensure that MRI parts are working properly and that your machine has preventative maintenance. Quality parts, along with routine care and maintenance can keep unexpected breakdowns from happening. Just as an automobile needs regular oil changes to run properly, MRI machines require maintenance as well. This is one of the most important things that you can do to protect your investment. Here are some other things that you can do to ensure that your MRI remains fully-functional and stays in optimal condition:

·         Choose Quality Parts for Replacement: in order to avoid repeat costly breakdowns of your MRI machine choose high-quality MRI parts that will last. Less-expensive, low-quality parts do not provide the best performance for your MRI. In addition they do not last as long. First-rate replacement parts ensure that you are getting the best performance from your machine. There is no need to choose pricey parts from the manufacturer. Instead go with a high-quality replacement part from a trusted parts supplier. Make sure that all parts are thoroughly tested and warranted against defects. This will provide you with an economical solution to reduce the cost of MRI ownership and help ensure the best returns throughout the life of your MRI. 

·         Consider a Service Agreement: service agreements help keep your MRI in top condition for longer periods. There are a variety of service agreements available to meet any need. You can choose from full-service agreements. These include all maintenance, parts and repairs. Preventative service agreements (on the other hand) minimize the cost of services by allowing you to choose how many service visits you want in a coverage period. These service agreements offer a lower price, yet allow you to have regular maintenance performed by a qualified engineer.

General Knowledge for MRI Scanning Safety

Most scientists believe that the magnetic fields in medical imaging are nonhazardous to the human body. Since standard MRI equipment does not use ionizing radiation, the contrast materials and parts have an extremely low incidence of harmful side effects. Despite these claims, medical facilities should still strive to maintain an extremely safe environment during imaging services in order to prevent bodily damage and even death. Here are some tips to ensuring optimal safety when performing an MRI scan. 

General Knowledge for MRI Scanning Safety 

Most MRI scans occur between 20 and 60 minutes, and patients should not experience any discomfort. In order to ensure optimal safety, patients and medical staff should be thoroughly screened for metal objects prior to entering the scan room. These metal objects are often found inside the body in the form of implants including:

• Pacemakers, which may malfunction during a scan or when near the MRI machine.
• Aneurysm clips in the brain can be torn, which will cause damage to arteries if the magnet from the scanning equipment or parts moves them.
• Metallic fragments in the eye could cause damage or blindness when in contact with the MRI machine.
• Dental implants may be dislodged while in the presence of a strong magnetic field.
• Modern surgical implants such as artificial joints, stents, and staples are less likely to be a safety risk, but patients should consult with their doctor as some orthopedic hardware can distort images in the scan.

           
Small objects like scissors, paperclips, stethoscopes, keys, and jewelry can serve as dangerous projectiles when forcefully pulled from the pockets or the body without warning. Slightly bigger items such as vacuum cleaners, oxygen tanks, heart monitors, patient stretchers, and IV poles can pose a huge risk as well. 

Most medical facilities will not place pregnant women in a MRI machine due to the limited research of the biological effects of magnetic fields on a developing fetus. The decision to scan pregnant women is determined on a case-by-case basis between the MRI radiologist and the patient’s obstetrician.