In recent months, MagNET members have visited brand new, purpose built MRI units and have observed a number of safety problems that could put staff and patients' safety at risk.

It is recommended that when planning a new MRI suite, physics staff have an input into the site's design.

In this way, safety issues can be addressed right from the start so that they don't become apparent only when the unit goes clinical.

By submitting your architect's site plans to MagNET for inspection, MagNET's MRI physicists will look for potential design hazards.

MagNET will highlight the hazards identified and recommend actions that can be taken to reduce the risks they pose.

Examples of hazards identified on architect's site plans by MagNET include:

• no barriers between a main hospital corridor and the scan room;
• an MRI scan room and angiography suite opening into the same preparation area;
• chairs and tables placed by the architect inside the scan room;

By identifying these hazards at the design stage, they can be remedied before they become a integral part of the building.