BEWARE: DON'T MIX MASKS with MRIs' or ELSE!

The Wearing of a Mask During MRI's Could Be Dangerous. Protect Against Radio Frequency (RF)-Induced Heating Injuries!

Wearing a mask during the pandemic was a good thing right? Face masks, surgical masks, and certain respirators, such as N95 filtering face piece respirators without exhalation valves, helped slow the spread of diseases that pass from person to person in respiratory droplets.

While mask mandates have relaxed over time, many healthcare providers and medical facilities are still requiring individuals to wear a mask regardless of the vaccination status, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, if you will be visiting the radiology facility for a MRI, you best beware that the mask you wear could potentially hurt you.

FDA ANNOUNEMENT

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses strong magnets and radio waves (radiofrequency energy) to make pictures of the inside of the body. MRIs help health care providers diagnose a disease or injury, and monitor medical treatment but there’s a negative side to this procedure which has caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make an important announcement.

When it is appropriate for a patient to wear a face mask during an MRI exam, the FDA is informing patients and health care providers that patients may be injured if they wear face masks or respirator masks with metal parts or specialized coatings during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) exam that could result in radio frequency (RF)-induced heating burn.

While the FDA recommends patients and workers wear metal-free face masks during MRIs, is there such a thing? After all, many of the face masks offered today include flexible metal nose pieces or bands, headband staples or have nanoparticles or antimicrobial coatings that may contain metal such as copper or silver all of which can become hot and lead to a burn injury.

We Have MRI SAFE Masks Made in the USA

After a lengthy search, we’re proud to share with you that we have located just the mask! Graham Medical®, a reputable supplier of disposable P.P.E. and healthcare disposables, provides a domestically manufactured mask that has no metal or metal nose band.

Made for MRI's, these metal-free masks are also perfect for X-rays, transportation security screening and especially for  correctional services as there are no components that can be used as a shank.

The 91618 (formerly 88589) ProDefense™ Procedure Masks are not only MRI safe, they’re also ASTM F2100-11 Level 1 performance rated and feature a skin-friendly contact inner layer that meets ISO standard 10993 for biocompatability making these ideal for wearers who suffer from ‘maskne’ or have sensitive skin.

Other features include:

• 3-layer combination of breathable films that resist fluid penetration
• Generous 7" x 3.75" size
• Pleated design
• Latex-Free ear loops
• Unique hi-viz yellow color differentiates the mask

Burns from metal objects worn by a patient during an MRI exam are a known issue and patients should not wear any metal during an MRI. Given the increased use of face masks from the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA wants patients and health care providers to be aware of the potential risk of face burns related to the use of patient face masks containing metal during an MRI.

If you are seeking a metal-free MRI safe face mask for your staff or patients, then look no further. All you need to do is tap the link and …

+shop for ProDefense_™ MRI Safe Face Masks

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