July 13, 2012 — West Physics Consulting, a national provider of medical and health physics consulting and testing services, announced that it has begun offering a full suite of MRI Safety Services to customers worldwide.
The new services include MRI Safety Training for MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and ancillary staff, as well as comprehensive on-site MRI Safety Audits. West Physics is also providing initial MRI Safety Setup Services for new installations and forensic investigation of MRI magnetic-induced accidents.
"Proper magnetic safety training for MRI staff is essential to preventing life-threatening accidents and/or costly equipment damage, as well as to reducing medical facility liability," said Geoffrey West, president and chief medical physicist of West Physics. "Accrediting organizations like the ACR (American College of Radiology), IAC (Intersocietal Accreditation Commission) and Joint Commission also highly recommend that individuals working within an MRI environment have documented annual training in MRI safety. WPC is excited to introduce superlative training options in this area for technologists, nurses, anesthesia staff and ancillary personnel."
While staff training is certainly an important component of MRI safety, every MRI facility should also have a full on-site MRI safety audit by a qualified expert. "The MRI safety audit provides a tangible way for the facility to identify and correct any issues that can potentially cause a safety incident," said West. "Since larger magnetically-propelled items entering the MRI bore can cause serious injury or death to patients and/or staff, it is essential to be aware of, and take steps to mitigate, the danger."
As part of the MRI Safety Audit, the department or facility receives detailed feedback from a qualified expert, and a complete MRI Safety Audit Report shortly after the conclusion of the audit. Once all findings are properly and fully addressed, West Physics Consulting then awards its "Certified MRI Safe" facility designation.
For more information: www.westphysics.com
