| CODE | RAD5023 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Advanced Training for Magnetic Resonance Safety Officers (MRSO) | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 20 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides the knowledge, skills and competencies in advanced MR safety as recommended for the role of Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO). It will address advanced MRI safety issues in detail with regards to MRI suite design and hardware; magnetism; biological effects of static, gradient and RF magnetic fields; active implants; safe administration of contrast agents, screening of patients and staff. Study-unit Aims: There are different aims to be addressed. First, within the field of radiography and the increased role and utilisation of MRI, this study-unit aims to provide advanced education and training programme in MRI safety for radiographers to take on the new role of Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO). Secondly, this study-unit has been designed as part of an ERASMUS+ project of establishing a harmonized MRI safety education and training curricula for radiographers working in MRI in Europe. Thirdly, this study-unit is designed to meet the needs and preferences of today's diverse learner, through various teaching and learning methods that can be flexibly paced as needed. Finally, this study-unit provides a unique opportunity for experienced radiographers with an interest in advanced MRI safety to meet and learn with and from similar-minded students and professionals from from other countries, through virtual transnational collaborations. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Discuss the MRI examination process as a whole, including detailed patient preparation, MRI scanning and patient aftercare; 2. Develop and apply safe consenting practices for patients and healthy volunteers across the full range of MRI research opportunities; 3. Explain metal screening processes for patients, volunteers, accompanying people and staff; 4. Differentiate MR safe, conditional and unsafe labelling for equipment, passive and active implants; 5. Discuss the safe use and administration of contrast media as well as any associated contraindications; 6. Discuss MRI equipment specifications such as static magnetic field strength, spatial gradient field map, fringe field maps, gradient field specifications (amplitude, rise time, slew rate) and RF fields (MHz); 7. Appraise a broad range of MR equipment, its optimal use, preparation and maintenance; 8. Discuss the importance of clear and accurate communication with the patient/volunteer, their accompanying person and co-workers for a successful and safe MRI examination. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: 1. Explain the MRI examination process to all patients and healthy volunteers and their relatives/ accompanying carers and other non-MR healthcare professionals; 2. Identify a full range of adverse events quickly and act accordingly. Also, be able to liaise with the relevant expert and non-expert practitioners for a safe resolution of these adverse events; 3. Ensure the robust application of metal screening and safe scanning processes to protect patients, volunteers, accompanying people and staff; 4. Recognize and manage a broad range of allergic reactions from contrast media administration. Be able to choose which type of contrast media to administer across a wide range of cases; 5. Apply and lead in the application of safe metal screening practices; 6. Advise and lead on the risk assessment process, evaluation and consultation procedures to ensure the safe use of surgical implants, active and passive, metal prostheses, stents etc and scanning of cardiac implantable devices, neuro stimulators and cochlear implants when appropriate and useful; 7. Perform, analyse and interpret the regular quality assurance/ quality control processes of the MRI scanner to ensure its smooth functionality during the scan. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts - Westbrook, C (2018). MRI in practice (5th Ed). Wiley Blackwell. - McRobbie, DW (2020). Essentials of MRI safety. Wiley Blackwell. - Westbrook, C (2015). MRI at a glance (3rd Ed). Wiley Blackwell. - McRobbie DW (2017). MRI From Picture to Proton. Wiley Blackwell. - EFRS: Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO) Role Descriptor:An European Qualifications Framework (EQF) benchmarking document November 2021. Supplementary text - ACR (2020). Manual on MR Safety. v1.0 - DIRECTIVE 2013/35/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 26 June 2013. - Shellock, F. G. (2002). Reference Manual for Magnetic Resonance Safety. - MR Safety, An Issue of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America, EBook. (2020). Olanda: Elsevier Health Sciences. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-Requisite qualifications: Participants who successfully completed the ECSO-Magnetic Resonance Safety study-unit or qualified radiographers with a minimum of 4 years experience in MRI or an EQF level 7 qualification in MRI This study-unit is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Indep. Study, Tutorial, Grp Learning & Online Learning | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Gail Camilleri Andrea Cradock Allison McGee Susan Mercieca Jonathan Loui Portelli Francis Zarb (Co-ord.) |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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