Handgun in MRI suite shuts down imaging center

An imaging center in Jacksonville, FL, was shut down for one day last week when a handgun was pulled inside an MRI machine by its magnet.

Jacksonville TV station WJTX reported that an off-duty Jacksonville Sheriff's Office deputy was hurt on September 30 when her hand was trapped between the police-issued Glock handgun and the magnet.

According to the report, Joy Smith was in the MRI room at Beaches Open MRI when she apparently forgot about her gun, which was pulled into the machine, trapping her hand between the gun and the scanner.

Smith freed herself, but the gun remained stuck for hours while the machine was powered down.

Beaches Open MRI closed for the rest of the day and an MRI technician had to be flown in to fix the machine. WJTX estimated that the downtime cost the center $150,000. The facility, which handles more than 30 patients a day, reopened the next day.

Related Reading

Rise in MRI accidents highlights need for magnet safety, August 11, 2009

Survey: MRI centers lack infection control, May 28, 2009

FDA warns of sandbags in MRI suites, April 3, 2009

U.S. FDA warns against wearing skin patch during MRI, March 6, 2009

Joint Commission may survey for MRI safety, March 5, 2009

Copyright © 2009 AuntMinnie.com

Page 1 of 611
Next Page