MRI scan Covid safe?

I had one in November.
It seemed safe enough.
What in particular are you worried about?
Give them a ring and talk to them - they will be much more knowledgeable than we are!
Please don't think that I'm being flippant, I was worried too.
Just give them a ring.

I see that it's not just 'this week', it's tomorrow.
What time is your appointment?

I have a CAT scan tomorrow and am quite confident that the hospital have their act together and it is less risky than going shopping.

I have had a scan and cystoscopy and blood tests as an outpatient recently and did not feel unsafe. The staff are tested for Covid frequently, the equipment is cleaned between use and you have to wear hospital mask when you visit. Please don’t be concerned.

Thanks for the replies. I have talked to them, a few weeks ago they were keeping a separate machine for covid patients, now they are not, and there is only 10 minutes between patients. I am concerned about Aerosols in the enclosed space of the machine.

I had an MRI scan just 2 weeks ago at my local hospital Longtoothgran and it was absolutely fine. Only one person at reception and then you had to go and wait in your car until they called you in. Everyone was masked and wore full PPE and I left immediately after the scan so that the clean down could begin for the next patient. All was fine.

Not much sympathy from me I’m afraid, because you’ve left it far too late to cancel now in any case, think of the wasted NHS time and funds. MRI capacity is very limited. They will be cleaning the equipment between patients, and the room will have been risk assessed to make sure that it’s safe. You must go.

If it really is tomorrow then I would certainly go. It is too late to offer anyone else your appointment and that would be an awful waste of NHS resources.

Hospitals are taking extensive precautions and are well set-up for keeping you safe.

You will obviously be wearing your mask, and I suggest taking as little with you as possible. Scarves, gloves, bags, etc just add anxiety for you.

I am shielding, but was in hospital last week, had x-rays and heart scans and more. Everything was quite safe.

It would be shocking to cancel at such a late stage, when someone else could have had the appointment.

I have discussed this with radiology and we have agreed the last point at which I need to give notice of cancellation. It is not tomorrow, it is this coming week. I would not allow the slot to be wasted. Thanks.

Yes, depending on where you live “non urgent” investigations are like gold dust. My scan is under the 2 week referral, and has taken about 8 weeks for an appointment, so please don’t waste it.

I had an MRI some weeks ago. I went wearing a mask but was very glad to have in my bag an extra mask which had no metallic parts, and so I wore that one during my scan. Take your own pen for filling in consent/information form. All the best for your appointment.

LongtoothedGran, you have to decide what's right for your own piece of mind.

I have been told categorically neither to attend a doctor's surgery nor hospital, except in an emergency, which is what happened to me last week, an emergency admission. All my treatment and scans have been postponed during my continued shielding, that also includes a scan of my hip and a coronary angiogram that are needed.

The clinician who asked you to shield, must be aware that you need a scan, has he asked you not to attend? If not, does that mean the need for the scan overrides the risk? Just playing Devil's advocate here.

What also occurred to me was that if you decide to cancel, you may have to wait a considerable time for another appointment, due to the backlog caused by Covid. I suppose it's a matter of weighing up how your problem is affecting your life and how anxious you feel. It's about balancing the pros and cons. I don't envy you, the decision was made for me by my consultant.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck, it's not an easy decision. I don't envy you.

I understand your worry. I have a procedure due on Jan 21st and I’m a bit concerned about going to the hospital, though I’m sure they take all possible precautions.
When my DH was in just before Christmas he said it was very different from times when he’d been there before COVID. He took a bin bag to put his clothes into, in case there wasn’t anywhere safe to put his things, but didn’t need it.

Thank you for your helpful comments. It has all been made worse because everything since the US scan in November has been done through messages via secretaries or receptionists, one phone conversation with a GP I don't know, and a short letter from the specialist putting the ball in my court. As you say, it could be a very long time before another appointment is offered, but my husband is very vulnerable.

LongtoothedGran, I don't know if this helps. I had a Covid test in hospital, despite shielding. When I came home from hospital I self isolated to keep my husband safe, just in case I had caught Covid. This meant sleeping in another room, no hugs ( I was desperate for one) etc. I then had another test at home, which thankfully was negative.
Would this work in your own circumstances to keep your husband safe?

I fulfill three different categories for shielding, having been told it is highly unlikely that I would survive Covid.
Unfortunately, although staff tried to keep me as safe as possible, due to the lack of beds it was initially impossible to shield. There was nowhere to put me.
However, I came through it without catching Covid, in a hospital bursting at the seams with Covid patients.

In your case, you will be contained in one area. I was in umpteen areas, before a bed was eventually found in the high dependency unit.

Is there anyway, you can speak to the person who asked you to shield and ask for their advice.?

I have been at our local hospital several times since March 2020 and have always found things seemed very safe. In your position, I'd go.

Only you can decide longtoothedgran, it’s a risk assessment in my view, which is the greater risk to health, attending or postponing.

I had an MRI 2 weeks ago and felt safer than I do on the rare occasions I venture into a shop, having said that mine wasn’t at a general hospital where covid patients are treated. It is hard not knowing your GP, I’m in the same position, we will be on phone call 4 tomorrow and still haven’t met. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t ‘get’ me but until it’s deemed safe to have a face to face appointment we have to manage.

Why not speak to the department managing the MRI? Ask about their covid protocols, I’m sure they will have been asked before, that way you will have better information on which to make a decision.

Had MRI first week last December. Have to have one once a year. Felt very safe.

The way into the hospital had changed. The hospital is the only one in Cornwall that takes covid cases. No MRI units elsewhere in the county.

I used to go in through one of the two main entrances but I was directed to a side door (fire door) closer to MRI unit. Met there by 2 security guards who ask me to wear a new mask (provided). I couldn't wear the one I had bought with me.

I wouldn't attend any non-urgent appointments right now. There is always a small to tiny risk of infection - and I'm not willing to take any risks at all - unless absolutely necessary.

I'm truly amazed that a friend kept a dental hygienist appointment. She said they're 'Covid safe' - but that just means low risk, there is still a risk!

Having isolated for nearly a year, with immunisation on the horizon, I won't risk ruining it now!

Hello again
I've been giving this some more thought, and I agree with Hetty above.
If it's not urgent I would not go.

I had a small procedure a few weeks ago and felt that the COVID precautions taken were more than adequate. I’m back again on Wednesday for a further test and have no hesitation about going. As the doctor pointed out to me, the risk to them is far greater than it is to patients so it’s in their own best interests to be extremely thorough when complying with cleaning protocols.

I hope your concerns (which I perfectly understand) have been allayed.

My dentist couldn't guarantee that appointments were completely risk free. Given that, and the journey there and back too, I decided not to attend for routine appointments this year.

Once I've had my two immunisation jabs, and, hopefully, infection rates here (near London) have fallen dramatically, I'll reconsider. Of course, if I have toothache, then I'll have to go!

Well am off for scan this morning. Will wear double hospital masks and hope for the best. Don’t think I will be able to hold my breath for duration of scan

I had one ten days ago and I felt it was as safe as it could be. They cleaned everywhere after the last person scanned so I had to wait a little longer than usual - but that was fine by be.

The staff wore masks and there is no one I. The room while the scan is going on.