DescriptionThe MRI Imaging Room is designed for undertaking Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanning with direct overview from the adjoining MRI Control Room. The MRI Imaging Room must have the MRI Equipment Room immediately adjacent for accommodating supporting power and control equipment.Hours of OperationUp to 24 hoursOccupancy1 patient; up to 3 staffAdditional Considerations~ The MRI Imaging Room is located within Zone IV as set out in the RANZCR MRI Safety Guidelines.
~ Magnetic and Radiofrequency shielding is to be as advised by specialist consultant.
~ The entrance of the MRI Imaging Room must be visible from the MRI Control Room.
~ Appropriate warning signs are required indicating the presence and permanency of a strong magnetic field and identifying items for which entry is prohibited.
~ There shall be a designated site outside the MRI Imaging Room, outside the 0.5m T line and away from the room entry door, for patients to be brought to if requiring emergency treatment.
~ Equipment is to be installed to manufacturer’s specifications with sufficient clearances for maintenance access. Installation and replacement access routes should also be considered. Additional building services connections and outlets are to be coordinated to suit equipment requirements. Cable ducts for services between imaging unit, the equipment room and the control room will be required and must be coordinated with the MME vendor.
~ Structural assessment is required to ensure the floor of the MRI Imaging Room and the access route for installation/replacement of equipment will accommodate the weight of the MRI unit.
~ A removable panel to the wall of the MRI Imaging Room is required to allow MRI Unit replacement.
~ Depending on service requirements, general anaesthesia may be administered in this room. This must be confirmed by project teams to ensure appropriate workflows are provided to support this model of care, to confirm the correct building services are provided to ensure patient safety, and to determine medical gas system requirements.
~ Provision of reticulated nitrous oxide is optional and must be confirmed to suit local jurisdictional policies and operational service requirements. The use of nitrous oxide in operating theatres and procedural suites and emergency departments is declining due to a range of clinical and environmental concerns. Reticulated systems have been found to increase leakage of nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas) to atmosphere, can increase facility operating costs and potentially expose staff to nitrous oxide. Reticulated nitrous oxide and associated scavenge outlets are not mandatory for any healthcare service and point of care cylinders can meet clinical requirements for the majority of healthcare facilities. Due consideration must be given to a range of operational considerations including monitoring and measurement of usage, management of leakage, WHS requirements relating to the use of cylinders, approach to the provision of scavenge where cylinders are used, appropriate storage for cylinders, and security of gas sources given it is used as a recreational drug.
~ Waveguide ports, also known as penetration panels, are specialised openings in the walls designed to allow the passage of various items like tubing and cables without compromising the magnetic and radiofrequency shielding. Waveguide ports are required from the MRI Control Room to the MRI Imaging Room. Where a service includes administration of anaesthetic, waveguide ports are required from the Anaesthetic Preparation Area to the MRI Imaging Room, along with an observation window with clear view of the patient.
~ All equipment and fittings in the room to be MRI compatible and constructed of non-ferrous material
~ Consideration for the use of multi-parameter MRI compatible monitors and infusion pumps to be confirmed at project level to suit local jurisdictional policies and operational service requirements. Where not provided, a cable port may need to be installed to run clinical leads from outside the imaging room to the patient for continuous monitoring and provision of care.
~ Florescent light fixtures are not permitted in the MRI Imaging Room
~ Temperature and humidity control are required.
~ In planning, room location to be considered in relation to location and movement of metal object outside the MRI Room, such as beds, trolleys, lifts, motor vehicles, trains, trams, AGV’s, transformers and AC cables. Room location must also take into consideration static elements such as steel beams and reinforcement, especially beneath the MRI Unit.
~ Room location to consider building vibration limits that can impact image quality. This may include new building works and potential refurbishments nearby.
~ Smoke detection within the MRI room shall be multi-aspirated detection with the sampling unit located outside of the risk area. Fire sprinklers and pipework shall be of non-ferrous material and suitable for an MRI room. A performance solution shall be completed to address the minimum fire protection requirements of the MRI room.
~ The room will require sufficient clearance to allow access for a patient on an MRI compatible trolley. Trolley movement into, around and out of the room, and patient transfer should be considered during planning to reduce manual handling.
~ Patient transfer aids such as patient slides and hover mats are to be considered for assisted patient transfers to and from the MRI table. Final selection of transfer aids will be dependent on service requirements, the needs of the anticipated patient cohort (e.g. for ambulatory services, acute services, etc.), as well as WHS risk assessments/policies. All equipment to be used within the room must be non-ferrous/MRI compatible.
~ Acoustic treatment to be considered to manage noise from the imaging device and the adjacent equipment room. All finishes must be meet infection prevention and control requirements.
~ Dimmable light may be considered to support patient comfort. Similarly, feature artwork on the ceiling may be considered above the MRI table.
~ Time tracking requirements (i.e. provision of electric or synchronised clock) is to be confirmed to suit service requirements.
~ The type, extent and configuration of storage within the room for consumables, linen, equipment, etc. will be dependent on service requirements, operational policies for stock centralisation/decanting and infection prevention and control policies.
~ Hours of operation depend on the service in which this room is located. Ambulatory medical imaging services may only operate during business hours or extended business hours, some small hospital services may have an on-call, after-hours service. Large units are likely to provide a 24-hour service, especially where a satellite service is provided with an emergency department.
~ Size, type and quantity of waste bins is dependent on waste management policies (e.g. for waste separation, frequency of waste removal, etc.) and service requirements.
~ Requirement for fixed and/or mobile duress to be confirmed to suit service requirements.
~ An operational model for responding to calls from staff/patients will be needed to support the inclusion of a nurse call system and is to be determined based on service requirements.
~ Provision of an intercom for staff communication within the department is dependent on service requirements. This function may be provided as part of the telephone system.
~ The final services and configuration of the Medical Services Panel (MSP) - medical gases, nurse call, power and data - will be dependent on service requirements.
~ The need for and extent of emergency power and UPS must be reviewed to suit site specific requirements and confirmed based on risk assessment considering the impact of a power outage on patient care/safety.