An X-ray nurse has been seriously injured in connection with a work environment accident at Sunderby hospital. The accident occurred in the mobile MRI cart located at the hospital entrance.
A patient was in the camera and underwent an examination. During the examination, an X-ray nurse went to the patient and got stuck in the strong magnetic field that the camera creates.
The X-ray nurse has suffered serious injuries and is was treated at the intensive care unit at Sunderby hospital. Two security guards from the hospital came to the site to help. They have suffered minor injuries.
The patient who was in the MRI camera did not suffer any physical injury. In the waiting room of the wagon there was also another patient and a relative. They have not been physically injured but are very taken by the incident.
“We have a pretty good picture of what has happened and the police are connected because this is a workplace accident. It is a tragic event and the X-ray nurse in question has a long experience,” says Per Berglund, head of the county health care division.
A magnetic resonance camera creates a very strong magnetic field. Everyone staying in the examination room must leave all magnetic metal objects. For example, it can be jewelry or coins. This is necessary because the strong magnetic field attracts magnetic metal.
“Right now we choose to stop the MR operation in the trolley so that the police can find out exactly what has happened. Other MR operations in the county continue as usual. I want to be clear that an MRI examination is safe and that no patient needs to be afraid to undergo the examination, ”says Per Berglund, head of the county health care division.
The MR wagon is owned by Aleris, a contracted contractor for Region Norrbotten. The injured X-ray nurse is employed by Aleris. The mobile MR camera undergoes regular service and supervision.
“We regret what has happened and that it has affected a number of people, not least a colleague. The important thing now is that we get clarity on what is behind the accident. The police will conduct an investigation and Aleris will help the police in the way we can. We will also conduct our own internal investigation to clarify the cause of the incident. MRI is normally a safe and secure form of examination,” says Lars Ahlander, head of Aleris X-ray in Sweden.