Future Health Directions: Remote MRI Scanning

When I started my career journey to become a technologist over 20 years ago, I never imagined that one day we would be able to perform MRI scans remotely. However, the technology enabling MRI technologists to remotely initiate, run, and complete scans on patients in different locations is now available. This technology, called Remote MRI Scanning (RMS), allows a technologist to operate multiple MRI machines simultaneously from a remote location. (Hudson & Sahibbil, 2022).

Over the years, I've had experience with remote biomedical engineering support for various CT and MRI equipment. Engineers access the equipment remotely to troubleshoot and resolve issues that don't require a field engineer to be dispatched. This was cool. Now, the same technology is being leveraged to enable RMS, which is even cooler. This technology is developed to address some of the contemporary issues facing diagnostic imaging, such as the shortage of experienced technologists or those with subspecialty training. It offers coverage during extended hours and improves patient access to specialized exams (Siemens Healthineers, 2023).

Ensuring MRI safety is crucial for technologists; however, in RMS, there are some gaps. Responsibility should be safely delegated to the staff at the local scanner site, involving patient screening and identification of implants or foreign bodies to determine their MRI safety. Training MRI Tech aids to collaborate with technologists, with clearly defined roles and liabilities, offers a viable solution (Kanal, 2023).

The acceptance of RMS among MRI technologists varies, but most agree on its ability to enhance quality and performance, primarily through remote support for junior staff and complex procedures. Once the technology matures and resolves issues like system lag, alongside staff training and safety protocol development, it holds the potential to address workforce challenges (Hudson & Sahibbil, 2022).

RMS is still in its infancy in Canada. In the near future, I foresee its primary use being for training and supporting local technologists in advanced applications (Zone3Podcast, 2023). However, for this technology to be more widely used, regulations must catch up to address safety and liability concerns arising from distancing the technologist from the MRI scanner.

References

Hudson, D., & Sahibbil, J. P. (2022). Remote scanning support in magnetic resonance imaging: Friend or foe? Radiography (London, England : 1995), 28(3), 739–745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2022.03.010

Kanal, E. (2023). Divided Liability Remote MR Scanning. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging : JMRI. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.28715

Siemens Healthineers. (2023). WeScan—Remote Scanning for MR Imaging [Text]. https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/services/customer-services/upscale-services/wescan

Zone3Podcast. (2023, April 9). Dr. Frank shellock’s thought s on remote scanning. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1zDqm4NhHIY