MRI scan Covid safe?

I work in Mri, we keep Inpatients and out patients separated ie in different scanners. Staff wear masks etc, we clean everything and so the risk is minimal. MRI scans give so much information you must way this up against the risk and fear of catching Covid.

How did it go LongtoothedGran ?

Marydoll

Pusanne this is Government shielding information for those living in Scotland.

www.gov.scot/publications/covid-shielding/pages/highest-risk-classification

Greeneyedgirl, I totally agree with your post. Only the OP knows her own circumstances.

I was the first person to post on this thread and it's exactly what I said -
'Give them a ring'!

i think you should have faith in the hospital, im sure they will be very stringent regarding precautions

Pusanne this is Government shielding information for those living in Scotland.

www.gov.scot/publications/covid-shielding/pages/highest-risk-classification

Greeneyedgirl, I totally agree with your post. Only the OP knows her own circumstances.

My husband, who is over 70, had one ten days ago, in a big London hospital. He said it was amazing - he only saw one other person apart from the MRI staff and all was very efficient. I dropped him off outside 5 minutes before his appointment and waited nearby so he didn't have to use the car park machine or public transport and all was fine.

I would not like to think that concerns on this post deter those who need a scan for urgent diagnosis, from having one.

Of course if your condition is not urgent then you must weigh up the possible risk of a scan against the possible risk of not having one.

Please speak to X-ray dept if you are concerned, don’t take advice on here.

Pussanne people who are classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) are encouraged by the government to 'shield' - meaning to not go out at all. These are the people who are a) most likely to get it due to being immune suppressed and b) most likely to be very ill and hospitalised with Covid.
CEV covers several underlying health issues. Despite what many people believe, it is not age related.
It's quite wide ranging, and there is lots of information, so you might be better off googling.
My DH is CEV and was shielding, but still caught it and was hospitalised. He is still very ill.
You are so fortunate to be in NZ!

I had an MRI scan in June , 48 hours after my presenting symptoms. I saw the consultant in the morning and was invited back at 1830 the same day for my scan . I was the only person in the waiting room, changing area and scanning room apart from the staff.I had no worries at all about the cleanliness or safety of anything .

I was told that I could possibly have an earlier appointment in the day if somebody cancelled , and was asked to keep my phone on just in case.

I see the word ' shielding' used a lot by other posters in this topic. What does that mean in the context of covid? I have not seen the word used here in NZ, but then we have no community cases here, just those caught at the Border,

I wondered that Bluecat because aren't you inside the drum of the machine and obviously inhale and exhale? They can wipe down the bed, but the inside as well? Someone here mentioned a doughnut ct scanner which sound preferable.

I wouldn't go, as it is not an urgent appointment. I am sure that the equipment would be cleaned but what can they do about the air? As anyone who has had an MRI scan knows, it's a very enclosed space. As it's now known that the virus is aerosolised, how long would it remain in the air if the patient before you happened to be infected?

The hospitals are doing their best under awful conditions, but I think it is advisable to stay away unless you have no alternative, particularly if you are very vulnerable.

Husband is on chemo. He had a minor op last week at local hospital. He has been to dentist and hygienist. He has had ct and mri scans. Everywhere he goes he says is very quiet. Often he is only one there. Life is a gamble. Just wish I could go to appointments to support him.

Go for your scan everything will be cleaned. I was worried going for scan on my eyes but everything was cleaned. I have been to dentist as well. Tomorrow my DH n I hsve been invited to have the vaccination wasn’t expecting it. DH has to shield but they have included me as well n onky just 70.

Just seen this, hope it went well. My husband had one recently and the radiology dept were A*. The scanner was thoroughly cleaned after every person, everything was very safe. Hope you had the same experience.

I think they are trying to prioritise investigations for conditions such as suspected cancers, Greciangirl. I do feel sympathetic it’s no fun being in constant pain. Can he access physio advice for instance?

I think you are all very lucky in getting an MRI scan in the first place.
My partner has very painful sciatica and has requested a scan, but g.p. says not possible at moment.
He will have to go on long waiting list and even then, no guarantee.

I had a scan in December got the results two weeks later, still
here{grin}.I would be more concerned 'catching' something in a supermarket certainly not a hospital.

Aepgirl You are right. Things are cleaned between patients normally but currently, extra care is taken. I think the person who told you they that were cleaned was only trying to reassure you.

You will spend most of the time in the scanner by yourself in a room so no aspiration there. They will wipe the scanner and there is little chance of getting the virus there. The waiting areas are usually unpopulated so probably not a problem there. Personally, I think the risks are minute but you are the one who has to judge that. You can socially distance from your husband upon return if you think that would be better.
I have had several appointments and treatment during lockdown at our hospital and they have all been very well handled.

Probably safer in a hospital where they know what precautions to take than in a supermarket?

I went for CT scan this morning. What I found was that the X-ray dept was very quiet, and I was kept in a bay by myself whilst I waited. The scan room I used was cleaned, and left empty for at least 20-25 minutes after the person before me, who was clearly an outpatient.

No hospital patients were in this area, or using the scans whilst I was there.
The room was well ventilated with noticeable air flow and a CT scan doesn’t enclose the body, it’s like a doughnut, and only my torso was scanned.

Cleaner, with fewer people and better airflow than shops etc.

If it was me I 100% would not go you say it’s not urgent so would definitely not risk it.

Go for it - I work in a hospital, they are ‘geared’ for being safe, so long as you do ‘hands face and space’ all will be ok

Do go ahead, I’ve been to the hospital during lockdown for a CT scan without problems, had a sigmoidoscopy during lockdown, again no problems and also been to the Dentist, again no problems and have a second dental appointment this week.