Safety Training and Philiosophy

Purpose

This page explains the IRC's human MRI safety training procedures and philosophy.

User Safety Training

User Designation Terminology

In an attempt to standardize and promulgate a set of MRI safety best practices, the American College of Radiology (ACR) commissioned a blue ribbon panel of experts to write such a document.  That document was published in 2002, and has been updated three times since that original paper's release; most recently in 2013.  All of those white papers concern themselves primarily with safety in a clinical setting where the priorities, facilities, personnel, and access to emergency assistance are very different than in the research setting.  Consequently, large portions of these practices do not apply to the IRC's Standard Operating Procedures.  However, whenever and wherever sensible, the IRC attempts to put their recommended procedures into practice.

One area where the IRC has always followed the ACR's white paper is the designation of trained MRI users as either Level 1 or Level 2.  A level 1 user is one who has been trained on basic magnet safety, basic screening procedures, and emergency procedures.  All IRC human imaging users must attend the Level 1 training class, and pass a quiz.  Level 1 users are qualified only to assist in running a human MRI research study.  They are NOT certified to manage a human imaging study.  That requires a Level 2 user.  Every scan session requires that a Level 2 user be present to assume responsibility for everything that happens during the study.  Without a Level 2 user, a human can not be scanned in the human scanner.

Training Procedures

Level 1 training typically is offered only during /wiki/spaces/IRC/pages/78776411.  Read about how to register for the classes on the S&TW wiki page.  Users must attend a 90 minute class in the IRC and pass a quiz immediately after the class.

Level 2 certification is far more rigorous.  In order to become Level 2 certified, users must complete 5 requirements:

1. Become Level 1 certified.
2. Attend the Level 2 lecture.  This is offered only during /wiki/spaces/IRC/pages/78776411.  It lasts about 2 hours but has lasted up to 15 minutes longer with questions and discussion.
3. Pass the Level 2 Written Exam.  This exam mostly covers the material in the Level 2 Lecture, but there are also items from the Level 1 certification as well.  The exam can be taken at any time after attending the Level 2 Lecture.
4. Fulfill the Apprenticeship Period: Level 2 candidates must attend at least five (5) complete scanning sessions to observe safety procedures.
5. Pass the Level 2 Practical Exam.  When all other requirements are met, Level 2 candidates should send an e-mail to irc-help@utlists.utexas.edu to schedule a practical exam.  The exam is meant to mimic a real research study, the candidate must manage all aspects to the satisfaction of the Proctor: screen the mock subject, get him/her safely into the scanner, run a complete research protocol, and complete the study.

Level 2 users must obtain the signature of the Proctor/mentor for each requirement on the Level 2 User Certification Sheet.  Upon completing this sheet, it should be submitted to IRC staff for validation and approval.

***It is recommended that Level 1 or Level 2 users who have NOT participated in a scanning session over the prior 6 months, should at the minimum go through a new Level 1 training. It is also recommended that Level 2 users pass another practical safety exam before scanning again.