MRI systems exert powerful yet invisible electromagnetic forces. The FDA Medwatch program shows a 500+% increase in reported MRI-related incidents/accidents since 2004. There are NO federal regulations overseeing MRI patient safety or defining minimal levels of training, experience, education or certification as to who may operate MRI systems. Almost all MRI accidents result from operator errors and lack of education and a lack of minimal safety standards. Entirely avoidable serious MRI-related injuries continue to occur due to the absence of minimal MR safety performance standards which, if standardized and enforced, would prevent these injuries.
Regulation is required to ensure that minimal MRI patient safety standards are established and enforced for all MRI facilities.