(Sorry for cross posting - active operators have already received this)
While we do not scan patients or research participants who are pregnant,
we are aware that there may be times when staff, operators and
technicians who themselves are pregnant may be required to enter the
inner controlled area (the "scan room") as part of their working routine.
We have taken advice from published guidance and from the University of
York Radiation Officer* and have adjusted our policies and procedures to
reflect good working practices to manage such situations and minimize
risk. (* While MRI does not expose persons to ionizing radiation, the
use of MRI is governed by IRMER guidelines).
The key points to note are summarized in section 5.6 of the Local Rules
for MRI Operators (v6.0) and reads as follows:
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Pregnancy and work in the inner controlled area
It is the responsibility of an operator or any member of staff who
requires access to the inner controlled area to notify the YNiC Director
when they are pregnant.
Individuals who are pregnant are permitted to operate the MRI scanners,
including taking participants into and out of the controlled area, that
is the scanner room. However, they may not remain in the controlled
area (the scanner room) during a scan. To be clear that means that
operators who are pregnant must not act as chaperones in the scanner room.
In the later stages of pregnancy, emergency removal of individuals from
the scanner is likely to prove a challenge to pregnant operators in
terms of manual handling. We will work with operators to ensure that
they will not be expected to operate when their capacity to perform
manual handling is limited by pregnancy.
This policy has been developed in order to conform with recommendations
outlined in the British Institute of Radiology's publication 'Pregnancy
and Work in Diagnostic Imaging Departments - 2nd Edition'.
--------------------------
If you have any queries please do contact us.
Best wishes,
--
André
************************************************************************
André Gouws PhD
Manager of Imaging Services
York Neuroimaging Centre
University of York
The Biocentre
York Science Park
Heslington
YO10 5NY
Tel: +44 (0) 1904 435327
Fax: +44 (0) 1904 435356
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