From the October 2014 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine


For some states it’s becoming a requirement — 16 states have adopted The Facility Guidelines Institute’s 2010 guidelines for design and construction of health care facilities, which requires siting of ferromagnetic detection systems.

Additionally, in the Joint Commission’s new proposed standards for MR safety, they’re requiring that facilities log all ferromagnetic threats that enter into Zone IV of the magnet room. KOPP will be unveiling an accessory at this year’s RSNA to help facilities comply with those new standards.


If the indicator lights are green that means that no ferromagnetic objects were detected, if they flash yellow then a ferromagnetic objects is approaching and if they flash red then a large ferromagnetic object such as a ventilator or oxygen cylinder is approaching.

The indicator lights flash in the region of the ferromagnetic object to make it easier to locate it. The lights also flash on both sides of the door so that the people outside and inside of the room are aware of a potential threat.

However, not everyone is convinced that the detection systems are a great idea. Michael Profeta, owner of Magnetic Resonance Technologies, knows some facilities have become complacent because the systems generate too many false positive alarms.

Sometimes, the RF door will set off the alarms when it swings into the room since it has some amount of ferrous hardware incorporated into it. Also, when a technologist is walking out of the room, if she is wearing an undergarment with metal underwire it may also cause false positive alarms.

KOPP will be unveiling two accessories at this year’s RSNA that will prevent both of those issues.

Is copper the way to go?
Many shielding companies agree that copper is the best material to use to construct shields. Copper is known to be one of the most conductive materials available that is reasonably priced, according to ETS-Lindgren’s Kellogg.

“The higher the conductivity of the material, theoretically the higher the performance should be or the easier it is to achieve that higher performance,” he says. ETS-Lindgren constructs almost all of their shields with copper except for the door jamb and the windows, which are made with aluminum.

Imedco’s Krachon also chooses to use copper for their shielding because it’s the only design concept that they can warrantee for its lifetime since it does not degrade overtime due to oxidation or rust. He says copper is also a good choice for an area that is prone to flooding. The zinc in galvanized steel, another popular choice, deteriorates if it’s exposed to a lot of moisture.

October 2014 Magazine

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