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RadiologyDiagnostic

MRI Safety Screening Protocol (ACR)

MRI Safety Screening Protocol (ACR): MRI Examination Ordered → Complete MRI Screening Form → Cardiac Device? → Proceed with EP Clearance.

Pathway Overview

13 steps

Algorithm Steps

13 total

  1. 01Start

    MRI Examination Ordered

  2. 02Action

    Complete MRI Screening Form

    Implants, devices, foreign bodies, pregnancy

  3. 03Decision

    Cardiac Device?

    • MRI-Conditional
    • MRI-Unsafe
  4. 04End

    Proceed with EP Clearance

    Device reprogrammed, monitoring

  5. 05End

    MRI Contraindicated

    Consider CT, US, nuclear

  6. 06End

    No Contraindications

    Proceed with examination

  7. 07Decision

    Other Implants?

  8. 08Action

    Check MRIsafety.com

    Verify device compatibility

  9. 09End

    Proceed per Conditions

    Follow SAR and field limits

  10. Path rejoins step 05Shared downstream outcome
  11. Path rejoins step 06Shared downstream outcome
  12. 10Decision

    Metallic Foreign Body?

    • Orbital risk
    • No risk
  13. 11Action

    Orbit X-ray

    Required if metalwork history

  14. Path rejoins step 06Shared downstream outcome
  15. 12Decision

    Pregnancy?

  16. 13End

    MRI Generally Safe

    Avoid gadolinium if possible

  17. Path rejoins step 06Shared downstream outcome

Guideline Source

ACR Guidance Document on MR Safe Practices

Clinical Safety Information

Clinical Decision Support — Not a Substitute for Clinical Judgment

Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.

Known Limitations

  • Device databases not exhaustive
  • New devices may lack safety data
  • Field strength and SAR limits vary

Applicable Regions

USAUUKEU

UK: MHRA guidance

US: ACR guidance; mrisafety.com widely used

Version 1Next review: 2028-01-01

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MRI Safety Screening Protocol (ACR)?

The MRI Safety Screening Protocol (ACR) is a diagnostic clinical algorithm for Radiology. It provides a structured decision tree to guide clinical decision-making, based on ACR Guidance Document on MR Safe Practices.

What guideline is the MRI Safety Screening Protocol (ACR) based on?

This algorithm is based on ACR Guidance Document on MR Safe Practices (DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26637).

What are the limitations of the MRI Safety Screening Protocol (ACR)?

Known limitations include: Device databases not exhaustive; New devices may lack safety data; Field strength and SAR limits vary. Individual patient factors may require deviation from these recommendations.

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