(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'.

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If you have any queries please do contact us.

Best wishes,