Produce magnetic resonance images (mri) for diagnostic purposes

This standard is concerned with the use of Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) equipment and procedures to produce images for diagnostic purposes. Key people are those involved in the individual's care and others involved in provision of services. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and

1. apply standard precautions for infection prevention and control and

   other appropriate health and safety measures

   2. ensure all necessary preparations have been made by the individual

   and staff before starting the procedure

   3. check and prepare the equipment required for the examination

   4. communicate with the individual / key people to facilitate their

   understanding of and co-operation with the examination

   5. ensure the environment is conducive to maintaining the privacy and

   dignity of the individual

   6. check the identification details before commencing the procedure in

   accordance with local policies and procedures

   7. introduce yourself and other members of staff present during the

   examination

   8. establish the individuals ability to understand the procedure with the

   help of key people if necessary

   9. communicate with the individual / key people to facilitate their

   understanding of and co-operation with the examination

   10. establish the individuals capacity to understand the procedure with

   the help of key people if necessary

   11. respect the individuals privacy, dignity, beliefs and decisions

   12. obtain valid consent for the procedure in accordance with national

   and local guidelines

   13. clearly explain the procedure and possible outcomes, including risk,

   benefits and limitations

   14. check for Magnetic Resonance imaging safety by use of the

   department Magnetic Resonance imaging safety check list which will

   include checking for the presence of ferro-metallic objects/prostheses

   and implanted medical devices

   15. take appropriate action if any of these are found to be present

   16. check for any contraindications for the proposed procedure and

   take appropriate action in response to identified risks

   17. examine previous relevant images and clinical information, where

   available, to ensure that the correct procedure and techniques are

   employed

   18. assess the individuals clinical and physical condition prior to the

   start of the examination with a view to proceeding

   19. check individuals of child-bearing potential for pregnancy or

   possible pregnancy, if appropriate to the examination, and take action

   in accordance with local protocols

   20. confirm the MRI safety status of key people before the examination

   and, where their presence is required, adhering to local guidelines

   21. enter the identification details of the individual into the Magnetic

   Resonance scanner or, if details have previously been entered, check

   them for accuracy

   22. accurately select all sequences required for the scan according to

   local protocols for the procedure, assess and any required

   modifications and take appropriate action

   23. position the individual, provide any hearing protection and adjust

   their clothing according to the protocols for the examination to be

   performed in a manner which allows an optimal outcome to be achieved

   while:

   23.1 ensuring their comfort as far as possible

   23.2 preventing the appearance of artefacts

   24. correctly and safely position appropriate Radio Frequency (RF)

   coils, cables and monitoring equipment

   25. check the room prior to taking the scan to ensure that only essential

   protected persons remain and that all local rules have been adhered to,

   taking appropriate action where necessary

   26. commence the scan and monitor the individuals condition,

   compliance and wellbeing throughout the procedure and take action

   appropriate to their needs

   27. create multi-planar reformats (MPR) from the relevant datasets as

   appropriate

   28. review the images on completion of the scan to ensure they are

   technically acceptable and suitable for diagnostic purposes

   29. review images for clinical acceptability, take appropriate action,

   including further imaging if required

   30. provide the individual with information relating to the procedure and

   aftercare where necessary

   31. explain the process for obtaining results

   32. following the preliminary imaging examination, inform the

   appropriate person if an abnormality is observed on the image which is

   likely to require further investigation or treatment

   33. optimise, record, collate and prepare appropriate information,

   documentation and images for transfer or storage according to local

   protocols

   34. verify that the images have arrived/been stored according to local

   protocols

   35. recognise where help or advice is required and obtain this from

   appropriate sources

1. legal, organisational and policy requirements relevant to your role,

   the role of others in your organisation and the activities being

   carried out

   2. the relevant national and local standards, guidelines, policies and

   procedures that are available and how and when they should be

   accessed

   3. the importance of respecting individuals culture, privacy, dignity,

   wishes, beliefs and decisions

   4. the limitations of your own knowledge and experience and the

   importance of operating within your scope of practice

   5. the roles and responsibilities of other team members

   6. the importance of obtaining valid consent in line with national and

   local guidelines

   7. clinical appropriateness of the examination request and the action

   to take when the request is not appropriate

   8. the gross, surface and cross-sectional anatomy of the areas to be

   scanned

   9. the relevant physiology of the areas to be scanned

   10. the medical terminology relevant to the examination, including

   abbreviations

   11. the common normal variants and their appearance on Magnetic

   Resonance images

   12. contra-indications to Magnetic Resonance scanning, including

   absolute and relative

   13. the importance of assessing for presence of ferro-metallic

   objects/prostheses and implanted medical devices and the

   appropriate action to take if these are identified

   14. contraindications to MRI contrast agents including the clinical

   implications of any allergy relevant to the examination

   15. common pathologies of the areas to be scanned and their

   appearance on Magnetic Resonance images

   16. manifestations of individuals physical and emotional status

   17. when additional images are required to aid diagnosis and to

   enhance the examination

   18. controlled access areas and safety requirements in the MRI

   environment in line with current MRI safety guidelines

   19. how to adapt communication styles, ask questions, and listen

   carefully in ways which are appropriate for the needs of the

   individual

   20. methods of communicating difficult and complex information to

   individuals and key people

   21. the importance of providing individuals and key people with

   opportunities to ask questions and increase their understanding

   22. the information that should be given to individuals before, during

   and on completion of the examination

   23. the physical principles of Magnetic Resonance scanning,

   techniques and protocols

   24. the technical and diagnostic quality requirements of the image

   25. artefacts on images - their causes and avoidance strategies

   26. factors which influence the decision to repeat images or take

   additional images

   27. alternative imaging examinations

   28. the safe operation of the Magnetic Resonance scanner and

   accessories in use

   29. the safe use of quality assurance equipment, recording results

   and taking appropriate action

   30. how to deal with spillages and the action to take if spillages occur

   in line with national MRI safety guidance

   31. equipment capabilities, limitations and routine maintenance

   including the quality control processes required by the operator

   32. the importance of timely equipment fault recognition and local

   procedures for reporting these

   33. procedures for preparation of the individual, environment and

   equipment for Magnetic Resonance scanning

   34. procedures relating to recording, collating and preparing

   appropriate information, documentation and images for transfer or

   storage according to local protocols

   35. how to keep full, accurate and clear records in line with

   organisational procedures

This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS

Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004):

Dimension: HWB6 Assessment and treatment planning