
At UCSF, each MRI site is divided into 4 safety zones based on the American College of Radiology guidelines:
- Zone 1: General public area outside the MR environment. This area is the reception and waiting areas.
- Zone 2: Area between Zone 1 (Public Access) and the strictly controlled Zone 2 (Control Room) and Zone 3 (Magnet). ...
- Zone 3: Control Room. ...
- Zone 4: Magnet Room. ...
- Zone I includes all areas freely accessible to the general public where the magnet field poses no hazards, such as the entrance to the MR facility.
- Zone II is located between Zone I and the more restrictive Zone III. ...
- Zone III is access-restricted by physical barriers such as doors with coded access.
What is Zone 1 of an MRI area?
Zone 1: General public area outside the MR environment. Zone 2: Area between Zone 1 (Public Access) and the strictly controlled Zone 2 (Control Room) and Zone 3 (Magnet). Zone 3: Control Room. Click to see full answer. Furthermore, what is Zone 4 of an MRI area? Contains the 3T MRI magnet room and equipment room.
How many zones are in the CIS MRI facility?
The MRI Facility in the CIS is divided into four safety zones as indicated in the figure on this page. Zones are labeled 1-4 and each Zone represents a progressively greater level of access restriction. The open-air PG-5 pedestrian walkway outside of the CIS MR facility and the CIS lobby/waiting room.
What is a concept zone in MRI scanning?
A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner has an incredibly powerful magnetic field. This is why many facilities and hospitals strictly enforce restricted access to the entire suite. To achieve this, conceptual zones have been established within the scanner’s general perimeter.
What are the zones at UCSF for MRI?
At UCSF, each MRI site is divided into 4 safety zones based on the American College of Radiology guidelines: Zone 1: General public area outside the MR environment. Zone 2: Area between Zone 1 (Public Access) and the strictly controlled Zone 2 (Control Room) and Zone 3 (Magnet). Zone 3: Control Room. Zone 4: Magnet Room.

What are the 4 zones of an MRI suite?
At UCSF, each MRI site is divided into 4 safety zones based on the American College of Radiology guidelines:Zone 1: General public area outside the MR environment. ... Zone 2: Area between Zone 1 (Public Access) and the strictly controlled Zone 2 (Control Room) and Zone 3 (Magnet). ... Zone 3: Control Room.More items...
How many zones are in an MRI suite?
four safety zonesThe MRI Zones The American College of Radiology has defined four safety zones within MRI facilities, numbered I-IV. The zones correspond to the increasing exposure to the magnetic field, and, therefore, the increasing potential safety risks. Below are definitions and diagrams of each of the zones.
Who can enter Zone 4 MRI?
ZONE 4 : This zone is the MR suite itself. Nobody that has not been screened will enter this zone under any circumstances. If the screening process has taken place, you may enter the suite but you MUST be accompanied by level 2 MR staff. Other than the waiting room, our entire MRI suite is considered ZONE 3.
What are the 3 magnetic fields in MRI?
In the MRI environment, where strong static, switched gradient, and RF magnetic fields are applied, the induced E-fields of all these three field types must be limited to ensure that patients and staff do not experience acute health effects.
What is prohibited in Zone 4 MRI?
Small metal objects are prohibited in the MRI scan room (Zone 4). Pens, bobby pins, hairclips, etc. must be carefully screened because they can become projectiles that can injure subjects and staff, and damage the MRI equipment.
What is MRI Zone II?
Zone II is located between Zone I and the more restrictive Zone III. In Zone II patients are under general supervision of MR personnel. Zone II often includes the reception area, dressing rooms and MRI screening rooms. Zone III is access-restricted by physical barriers such as doors with coded access.
What is the 5 Gauss line in MRI?
The 5 gauss line is the safety line drawn around the perimeter of the main magnet of the MRI scanner, specifying the distance at which the stray magnetic field is equivalent to 5 gauss (0.5 mT). Five gauss and below are considered 'safe' levels of static magnetic field exposure for the general public.
What is Zone 2 of MRI?
Zone 2- This zone still has no detectable magnetic field but we do restrict access because it is close to the MRI scanners. Patients, families, and visitors must be escorted into Zone 2. Zone 3- This zone is only one door away from the MRI scanner, which always has its magnetic field on.
How long does an MRI take?
How long does an MRI take? The scan can take between 10 minutes to over an hour to complete. This depends on the part of the body being imaged and what type of MRI is required to show the information. Before the scan begins, the radiographer will tell you how long the scan takes, so you know what to expect.
How long after crowns are placed can you get MRI?
Having implants and/or crowns in your teeth is not a problem for the MRI examination, but you need to wait 6 weeks after the implants / crowns are placed to go in the MRI scanner.. The MRI images of your mouth/cheeks could become a bit blurry, but it will not affect the examination.
What is the 5 Gauss line in MRI?
The 5 Gauss line(the outermost line) defines the limit beyond which ferromagnetic objects are strictly prohibited.
What is Zone 4?
Contains the 3T MRImagnet room and equipment room. Zone 4is a potentially hazardous zonewhere magnetic fields are greater than 5 gauss. All persons entering Zone 4, including researchers, volunteers, and special visitors must fill out and sign appropriate screening forms.
Is it safe to get an MRI?
MRI imaging is quite safe for human tissue, but introducing metal near the machines can be deadly. Patients must remove any metal from their bodies before getting scanned; anyone with certain metal implants that can't be removed (most older pacemakers, for example) can't get an MRI scan.
Can MRI be used on dental crowns?
Materials Matter for Dental Crown Magnets only attract certain types of metals, so only those are a concern with MRI. Some dental restorations, like dental crowns, may include traces of these metals. Crowns made of porcelain, composite resin, or gold pose no risks from MRI.
How many zones are there in the MRI facility?
The MRI Facility in the CIS is divided into four safety zones as indicated in the figure on this page. Zones are labeled 1-4 and each Zone represents a progressively greater level of access restriction.
Is it safe to be in an MRI room?
Secondly, is it safe to be in the MRI room? As far as science can tell, MRI is safe, but policy at CHP is that no person be in the room during radiofrequency while pregnant. This means a pregnant person should not be in the room while there is noise in the room.
Can MRI be performed on a pacemaker?
However, due to the use of the strong magnet, MRI cannot be performed on patients with: Implanted pacemakers. Intracranial aneurysm clips. Cochlear implants. Certain prosthetic devices.
Is it safe to have an MRI while pregnant?
As far as science can tell, MRI is safe, but policy at CHP is that no person be in the room during radiofrequency while pregnant. This means a pregnant person should not be in the room while there is noise in the room.
What is zone 1 in MRI?
Zone 1- This zone has no detectable magnetic field and there is no restriction on access. The public is free to move around without being screened. This zone would include the waiting area and hallways outside of the restricted MRI hallways.
How fast can an MRI fly?
This means even very small non-approved magnetic items brought into the scanner room can become a flying projectile object that can fly up 40 mph depending on shape, size and distance from the scanner.
What happens if you don't look into magnetically affected items?
If the magnetically effected item is inside the body, such as metal shavings from grinding, certain color ink used in tattoos, or implanted pacemakers, it can cause harm if not looked into initially. This is why we screen all employees, patients and families to assure non-approved items are not brought into Zone 3 or 4.
How many zones are there in the MRI facility?
The MRI Facility in the CIS is divided into four safety zones as indicated in the figure on this page. Zones are labeled 1-4 and each Zone represents a progressively greater level of access restriction.
What is Zone 3?
Restricted area. All visitors and volunteers in Zone 3 must be escorted by authorized personnel at all times while in this zone. Zone 3 contains the MR control area and participant changing area. While this Zone is free from risk, persons in Zone 3 have free, physically unrestricted access to Zone 4, an area that does pose risk. Zone 3 is behind controlled access doors.
What is Zone 3 and Zone 4?
The combined area of Zone 3 and Zone 4 is defined as the MRI Suite. Small metal objects are prohibited in the MRI scan room (Zone 4). Pens, bobby pins, hairclips, etc. must be carefully screened because they can become projectiles that can injure subjects and staff, and damage the MRI equipment.
What is zone 1 in CIS?
Zone 1. The open-air PG-5 pedestrian walkway outside of the CIS MR facility and the CIS lobby/waiting room. Zone 1 is freely accessible to the general public.
Can watches be brought into MRI?
Watches cannot be brought into the MRI scan room (Zone 4), as the magnetic field will render them inoperable. Devices with magnetically recorded information such as credit cards, bankcards, or data stored on magnetic tape will be erased if brought into Zone 4.
Can metal be used in MRI?
Large metal objects may not be brought into the MRI scan room (Zone 4) unless they have been certified as MR safe by the CIS staff. Objects such as floor buffers, oxygen tanks, and toolboxes may become attracted to the magnet with sufficient force as to cause severe trauma to subjects and staff.
What is the ACR 4 zone?
The rationale behind the ACR's 4-zone strategy is to make it difficult for unqualified staff and unscreened patients to reach the potentially dangerous inner sanctum of the MRI Center (Zone IV). If carefully adhered to, these restrictions should minimize the risk of two major hazards of MRI — a) projectile accidents and b) injury to patients with implanted devices.
What is a fringe magnetic field?
An area near the magnet room where the fringe, gradient, or RF magnetic fields are sufficiently strong to present a physical hazard to unscreened patients and personnel.
How many Gauss is a magnetic fringe?
All areas freely accessible to the general public without supervision. Magnetic fringe fields in this area are less than 5 Gauss (0.5 mT).
