MRI Code Blue Protocol

The following protocol is to provide the MRI staff with the proper and safe procedural guidelines for a Code Blue situation in a MRI environment:

1. Assess the patient

Early assessment, recognition and prevention of potential problems is the key to a safe scan. If the patient is eminently at risk of "coding" while in the scanner, the patient must be pulled out of the scan room immediately.

If the situation is unforeseen, check the patient for responsiveness. If the patient is not responsive, remove patient from scan room immediately to the designated recovery area and call Code Blue. Instruct a second staff to call a code if possible.

2. Call a Code Blue

Dial the code blue code and. Announce to the Code Blue operator the following:

• "Code Blue MRI, Room #______.
• Instruct a staff member to go out in the hallway to direct traffic if possible.

3. Secure scan room door

Make sure the scan room door is closed prior to the arrival of the code team.

4. Begin CPR until the Code Blue team arrives

Begin the CPR protocol until the Code Blue team arrives. Open the airway, assess breathing. Assess circulation, and begin chest compression if indicated. Please note that the Code Blue team will arrive within 3 minutes. The patient must be out of the scan room and the door secured before the team arrives.

5. Upon arrival of the Code Blue team, MR technologist to monitor the security of scan room door.

Upon the arrival of the Code Blue team, the MR technologist informs the team of the patient's situation, reason for exam, any pertinent medical history. The technologists helps the team locate the Code Blue cart. Then the technologist stands in front of the closed scan room door, restricting entrance to the room, allowing entrance to the scan room only if the individual is deemed "MR safe".

If more than one MRI staff member is present during a Code Blue situation the following scenario should occur:

• One individual should undock the table, remove patient from the room, secure scan room door, and restrict access to scan room during code.
• Second individual calls the code, assist in removal of patient from the scan room if help is needed by the first individual, gets code cart, then goes to the hallway to guide the Code Blue team.

Please note that the magnetic field can be quenched during a Code Blue situation, only under the following circumstance:

• The patient's life is in jeopardy and is unable to be removed from the scan room due to equipment malfunction.

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