Urgent checks have been carried out on MRI scanners in Basildon Hospital after incidents at other UK hospitals threatened the lives of patients and staff.
The incidents, which occurred at two undisclosed hospitals in Scotland, exposed possible flaws in the machines' venting systems that could disperse helium gas cold enough to freeze patients to death.
The potential dangers were great enough for the Department of Health to issue instructions to hospitals across the UK to check their equipment.
MRI scanners use magnetic fields which need helium gas to keep them to almost absolutely zero temperatures.
In one incident a vent became blocked with ice from rainwater and helium escaped into the examination room. In the other a venting pipe was narrower than specified by the manufacturer.
This threatened to rupture the tube and send large quantities of freezing gas into the room.
A spokesperson for Basildon Hospital said they were well aware of the warning and had acted swiftly to protect the safety of their patients.
The Department of Health has stressed that risks to patients are minimal and urged the public not to be put off from having their scans.
Published Tuesday, May 20, 2003
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