So, we already know that MRI's are routinely over-prescribed, especially in the case of low back pain. Last year, 1 in 10 people in the U.S. recieved an MRI scan of something. That's a bunch! However, we might not be aware that the rate of injuries and incidents involving MRI scans are skyrocketing, beyond that which would be accounted for by increases in volume.
In 2005, the New York Times reported on an increase in accidents. Since that time, the injury rate is up almost 175%! The stats are hidden away in this database. This website contains a collection of images from MRI events, with a surprising culprit, the floor buffer.
The FDA and Joint Commission seem to lack teeth to establish site specific standards for safety in the MRI suite. Though, they seem to be trying.
Interested parties may wish to check out the MRI Metal Detector blog. Make sure you really know why you're being sent for an MRI. Understand that still pictures are hints of function, nothing more. Sure, MRI's are a great tool, but not for 30,000,000 people a year!
ERIC