Enhancing MRI Safety by Identifying High-Risk Tasks and Implementing Electronic Screening

Motivation: Paper-based questionnaires often fail to reliably identify patients' medical history, contrast agent side effects, or internal metal implants, leading to safety incidents during MRI procedures. Goal(s): Enhance MRI safety by identifying high-risk tasks contributing to patient safety issues and implementing targeted solutions. Approach: Analyzed 72 MRI-related tasks using Interpretive Structural Modeling to pinpoint those posing the highest risks. Developed an electronic patient screening system integrated with Electronic Medical Records to accurately identify patients with metal implants and streamline safety protocols. Results: The system improved detection of at-risk patients, reduced safety incidents, enhanced adherence to safety protocols, increased workflow efficiency, and improved patient outcomes. Impact: By pinpointing and addressing specific high-risk tasks in the MRI process, we significantly enhanced patient safety. The electronic screening system integrated with EMRs ensures accurate identification of patients with metal implants, reducing the risk of adverse events. This approach provides a practical model for other medical imaging departments aiming to improve safety protocols and patient care worldwide.