**3. Literature review**

lations and policies to guide the operations of MRI (New York Times, 2010; Healthcare Purchasing News, 2010). This has become necessary because the risk in the MRI environ‐ ment does not only affect the patient, but also affects the health professionals and those who find themselves in the magnetic field (Kanal *et al.,* 2007). There is therefore the need for maximum safety to be ensured in the MRI unit. Moreover Chaljub (2003) and Joseph (2006) have both emphasized the need to keep training health personnel on safety issues relating to MRI. In particular, Joseph reiterated that the MRI's magnet which is over 100,000 times the earth's natural magnetic pull is always on mode; hence those who ap‐ proach it should have training due to the special safety risk it poses. In addition to the risks to people, it is also important to put in precautionary measures to protect the equip‐ ment from damage and breakdowns. The need to assess the staff of the radiology depart‐ ment and hospital's management on their attitude and adherence towards maintaining

56 Imaging and Radioanalytical Techniques in Interdisciplinary Research - Fundamentals and Cutting Edge Applications

In recent times, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit of the Korle - Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) in Accra, Ghana has witnessed various degrees of accidents. In particular, there was a fire outbreak in 2007 which brought the operation of the MRI facility down for a whole year. Again in 2010, a wheelchair was pulled into the gantry of the MRI scanner by the mis‐ sile effect when a patient was lifted off the wheelchair onto the MRI table as shown in ap‐ pendix I on page 28. This incident resulted in three weeks down time of the facility. A second incident in the same year occurred where a Radiographer Intern at the MRI unit wrongly switched off the safety button, resulting in three weeks shut-down of the entire unit. These incidences have been documented in the Incidence Reporting Book at the MRI Unit and are reproduced here with the permission from the Radiology Department of the hospital. These incidences at MRI Unit at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital are very worrying, suggesting that the safety aspects might have been compromised. Thus it is imperative that the existence of policy guidelines and manuals regarding the operational safety of the MRI in the hospital and their compliance and adherence by staff needed to be evaluated. Similar incidences occurring in other hospitals around the world are documented in the literature

This study was undertaken at the MRI Unit at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana. The specific objectives of study were to identify safety policies regarding the operations of the MRI unit and whether they conform to international standards. Additionally, it sought to ascertain adherence and compliance of the policy guidelines and to evaluate the design features of the MRI suite for its safety compatibility as well as to determine the safety train‐

The study focused on the safe use of MRI as an imaging modality and involved radiogra‐ phers of the Radiology Department. A member of the Hospital Management Team also par‐ ticipated in the study since the management members are responsible for the safety policies

safety at the MRI can therefore not be overemphased.

and some of which are reproduced in Appendix II on page 29.

formulation and ensuring their implementation at the MRI unit.

ing needs of radiographers who operate the MRI.

**2. Materials and methodology**

In order to have a broad perspective of MRI safety issues, an extensive literature review were done which centred on the concept of safety screening; principle and framework of safety in MRI; operational principles, safety policies and guidelines of MRI.
