A Survey and Analysis of the Current Status of MRI Safety Management in Medical Institutions in Korea.

BACKGROUND

MRI safety management is essential for patient safety and for standardizing institutional practices. However, nationwide data on MRI safety readiness in Korean tertiary hospitals remain limited.

PURPOSE: To evaluate MRI safety management across all 47 Korean tertiary hospitals and identify major gaps in safety infrastructure, staffing, and education.

STUDY TYPE: Cross-sectional census survey.

POPULATION: MRI safety managers from all 47 Korean tertiary hospitals in 2025.

ASSESSMENT: A structured 50-item questionnaire was developed based on the American College of Radiology (ACR) MRI safety guidelines. A composite safety maturity index (0-100) was calculated as the unweighted arithmetic mean of four domain scores derived from 32 binary safety-practice items, with mandatory items weighted 2 and recommended items weighted 1 in accordance with the 2024 ACR Manual on MR Safety.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Descriptive statistics were used to summarize institutional characteristics and safety compliance. Comparisons of staffing patterns by time period were evaluated using inferential tests, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

The response rate was 100% (47/47). The mean number of MRI units per hospital was 5.32 ± 3.50, and 3.0 T systems were predominant. Compliance was universal for closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring and MR Conditional monitoring devices but was low for ferromagnetic detection systems (17.0%), Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO) appointment (17.0%), and Level 1 safety education (23.4%). MRI-related safety incidents were reported by 44.7% of hospitals. Two-person staffing decreased significantly from 97.9% on weekday daytime hours to 55.3% on Saturdays, 44.7% at night, and 38.3% on holidays. The overall composite safety maturity score was 63.08 ± 15.04.

DATA

CONCLUSION

Considerable variability remains in MRI safety management across Korean tertiary hospitals. These findings highlight the need for national MRI safety standards in the Republic of Korea.

EVIDENCE LEVEL: 4.

TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 4.