A 61-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition after being pulled into an M.R.I. machine at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, New York, on Wednesday. The incident occurred around 4:34 p.m. when the man, who was not authorized to enter the M.R.I. room, wore a large metallic chain necklace. According to the Nassau County Police Department, the powerful magnets within the M.R.I. machine are capable of exerting tremendous force, which can pose severe risks if metallic objects are present.
M.R.I. machines utilize strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the body. Due to the high magnetic strength, patients and visitors are advised to remove all jewelry and metallic items prior to entering the room. There have been past incidents involving M.R.I. machines; one notable case in 2001 involved the tragic death of a 6-year-old boy during a scan when a metal oxygen tank was accidentally drawn into the machine.
This incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols in medical imaging environments to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future. It serves as a reminder for facilities to ensure that access to M.R.I. rooms is tightly controlled and that safety guidelines are clearly communicated to avoid unauthorized entries.
With ongoing awareness and education regarding the hazards associated with M.R.I. machines, it’s hoped that similar incidents can be prevented in the future.