18/07/2025
Recent MRI Accident Underscores the Need for Better Safety Measures
Last week in Westbury, NY, a 61-year-old man was critically injured when he was pulled into an active MRI machine while wearing a metal chain. According to police, he was not a patient but entered the MRI room during a scan, where the powerful magnet attracted his chain, causing serious injuries.
This tragic event highlights how dangerous MRI rooms can be when safety protocols fail — and how easy it is for someone to bypass screening and enter a hazardous area unnoticed.
MRI facilities typically rely on signs, staff vigilance, and ferromagnetic detectors to keep unauthorized people and objects out of the room. But as this incident shows, these measures don’t always prevent accidents. In busy environments, human error or confusion can quickly lead to dangerous situations.
How Voice-Activated MRI Room Alert Can Help
To bridge this gap, innovative solutions like the MRI Room Alert are being adopted to improve safety in MRI environments. Unlike traditional push-button alarms — which might be out of reach if someone is trapped or immobilized by the magnet — MRI Room Alert is voice-activated.
If a staff member or patient needs help, they can simply say a designated emergency word to trigger the system, even if they can’t reach a button. The system then immediately sends alerts via phone call, text, or email to predesignated contacts — including backup contacts if the first doesn’t respond — helping staff respond faster to emergencies.
Some versions of MRI Room Alert also include nights & weekends mode for off-hours monitoring, and even remote video access so safety staff can see what’s happening in real-time.
By allowing people to call for help with just their voice, MRI Room Alert addresses one of the most critical gaps in MRI room safety — ensuring that staff and patients can still get immediate assistance, even in the worst situations.
The recent Westbury accident is a sobering reminder: even one lapse can have life-threatening consequences. Facilities should consider not just traditional safeguards, but also smarter, more responsive tools to protect everyone in the MRI environment.
Learn more about MRI Room Alert System: https://shorturl.at/rRdt9
