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Tragedy struck when a man lost his life after being pulled into an MRI machine.
The incident took place on July 16 at the Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, New York, as per a statement from the Nassau County Police Department in Long Island.
Police were called to the MRI center around 4:30 p.m., where they found that a 61-year-old man had entered an unauthorized MRI room while a scan was in progress.
The man was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck, which led to him being drawn into the machine and experiencing a medical emergency.
A man has died after getting sucked into an MRI machine (not pictured) on July 16 at the Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, New York, according to a press release from the Nassau County Police Department in Long Island. (iStock)
He was taken to a local hospital and unfortunately passed away due to his injuries the following day.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Nassau Open MRI advises on its website that all metallic items, including jewelry, should be removed before undergoing an MRI.
“The male victim was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck, causing him to be drawn into the machine, which resulted in a medical episode,” the press release stated. (AP Images)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) emphasizes the importance of carefully screening individuals and objects entering the MRI environment to prevent accidents.
While MRI scans are generally safe, there have been rare cases of adverse events, primarily burns and thermal injuries.
According to Dr. Kenneth J. Perry, an emergency medicine physician, MRIs are valuable for capturing detailed images of the body without using radiation, making them safe for various patient populations.
It is best to discuss with the care team in advance about any potential concerns related to MRI safety, such as implanted devices, a doctor advised. (iStock)
However, the magnetic function of an MRI is constantly active, which poses a risk of attracting magnetic materials and causing accidents if proper precautions are not taken.
Dr. Perry recommends following strict MRI protocols to prevent such incidents and ensure patient safety.
Ultimately, MRIs are a safe imaging tool that provides crucial information to healthcare providers for better patient care.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to Nassau Open MRI for further comments.
