MRI Pre-Scan Safety Checklist for Patients

Key Takeaways

MRI uses no ionizing radiation — it works with a powerful magnet and radio waves — but the magnetic field interacts with metal and certain medical devices in ways that require screening before every scan.
Tell your technologist about every implant or device, including pacemakers, cochlear implants, insulin pumps, aneurysm clips, and joint replacements. Many are MRI-compatible, but the exact model must be confirmed.
Claustrophobia affects roughly 5–10% of patients. Options include open MRI scanners, distraction techniques, and, when needed, mild sedation. Tell the scheduling team in advance.
For contrast-enhanced MRIs, your doctor may order a creatinine blood test first to check kidney function — gadolinium contrast is cleared by the kidneys.
The entire pre-scan screening process takes 5–10 minutes and exists to protect you, not slow things down. Answer every question honestly.

Why MRI Safety Screening Matters

MRI machines generate magnetic fields thousands of times stronger than Earth's natural field. Ferromagnetic metal objects — including some implants, foreign bodies, and everyday items — can move, heat up, or malfunction in that environment.

According to RadiologyInfo.org, the patient information resource of the Radiological Society of North America, the vast majority of MRI scans are performed safely every day. The safety screening process is what makes that possible. Most implants and devices are either fully compatible with MRI or can be scanned under specific conditions — but the radiology team needs to know what you have.

Before the Day of Your Scan

Step 1: Gather Your Implant Information

If you have any implanted medical device, locate the implant card your surgeon gave you at the time of the procedure. This card lists the manufacturer, model number, and lot number — information the radiologist needs to look up MRI compatibility in the implant database.

Devices that require verification include:

Cardiac pacemakers and ICDs — Many modern pacemakers are labeled "MR-conditional," meaning they can be scanned under specific conditions with a trained team present. Older models may be MR-unsafe. Never assume compatibility; always verify the model.
Cochlear implants — Most cochlear implants are MR-conditional. The external device must be removed; internal components require specific sequences and field strengths.
Neurostimulators and spinal cord stimulators — Compatibility varies widely by model; some require reprogramming before and after the scan.
Insulin pumps — Most must be removed before entering the scanner room.
Aneurysm clips and stents — Older aneurysm clips may be ferromagnetic. Newer vascular stents are generally safe after 6–8 weeks of implantation while the body encapsulates them.
Joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder) — Most modern orthopedic implants are made from titanium or non-ferromagnetic alloys and are safe for MRI, though they can create image artifact near the implant site.

Step 2: Inform Your Doctor About Special Circumstances

Before the day of your scan, tell your ordering physician if:

You are pregnant or might be pregnant. MRI is generally avoided during the first trimester unless medically necessary, because the developing fetus is most sensitive to any potential effects. After the first trimester, MRI is used when the clinical need outweighs uncertainty.
You have kidney disease or reduced kidney function. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are cleared by the kidneys. Patients with severely reduced kidney function (eGFR below 30 mL/min) face a small risk of a rare condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis if certain contrast agents are used. Your doctor may order a creatinine blood test first.
You have severe claustrophobia. Flag this at the time of scheduling — not on the day of the scan — so the team can discuss options and, if needed, arrange sedation.
You have ever had metal fragments near your eyes. Metalworkers, welders, and others who work with metal sometimes have tiny fragments embedded in the eye. These can move inside the magnetic field and cause injury. A plain X-ray of the orbits before MRI is typically performed to rule this out.

Day-of Checklist

On the day of your MRI, the technologist will guide you through formal screening. Here is what to expect and how to prepare:

What to Wear

Wear loose, comfortable clothing with no metal. Athletic wear, sweatpants, and cotton tops work well. Underwire bras, jeans with metal rivets, and tops with metallic prints or zippers must be removed.
Remove all jewelry before leaving home if possible — rings, earrings, necklaces, piercings, and hair accessories. This saves time at the facility.
Leave your watch, wallet, and phone in a locker provided by the facility. Magnetic cards (credit cards, key fobs) placed inside the scanner room can be demagnetized.

What to Tell the Technologist

Even if you answered a screening questionnaire online, you will be asked again in person. Answer every question, including:

All implants and devices (even dental implants and bridges, though most are safe)
Any history of metal work, welding, or machining
Any previous surgery on your brain, spine, heart, or blood vessels
Any tattoos (some older tattoo inks contain metallic compounds and may cause mild warmth; modern inks are generally safe)
Any shrapnel or metal from an injury or military service

Food and Medication

Most MRI scans require no fasting. You can eat and take your regular medications as usual.
If your scan uses contrast, follow your facility's specific instructions. Some require avoiding food for 2–4 hours before the scan; others do not.

Managing Claustrophobia

If you experience anxiety in tight spaces, you have several options:

Open MRI scanners use a wider bore or open sides. Image quality may be slightly lower than a standard closed bore, but is sufficient for most clinical questions.
Wide-bore scanners (70 cm bore width, compared to the standard 60 cm) fit larger patients more comfortably and reduce the enclosed feeling.
Feet-first positioning is used for knee, ankle, and some abdominal scans — only your feet and legs enter the machine, keeping your head outside.
Mild sedation prescribed by your physician can reduce anxiety significantly. Arrange this in advance; you will need a driver home afterward.
Distraction techniques — headphones with music or audiobooks, eye shades, and breathing exercises — help many patients complete the scan without medication.

Tell the scheduling team about your claustrophobia at the time of booking so they can schedule adequate time and arrange the right setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MRI safe during pregnancy?

MRI is generally considered safe during pregnancy. Unlike X-ray and CT, MRI uses no ionizing radiation. Guidelines from MedlinePlus and major radiology societies recommend avoiding non-urgent MRI scans in the first trimester when possible — not because of proven harm, but as a precaution while fetal organs are developing. After the first trimester, MRI is used routinely when the clinical benefit is clear.

Can I keep my hearing aids in during an MRI?

No. Hearing aids must be removed before entering the MRI scanner room — the magnetic field can damage the device, and it can also become a projectile. If you have implanted hearing aids (bone-anchored hearing aids, cochlear implants), inform the team before your appointment so they can verify compatibility.

What happens if I move during the MRI?

Movement causes blurring and artifacts in MRI images, which can make the scan non-diagnostic. The technologist may ask you to repeat sequences. For longer scans (45–60 minutes), short rest breaks can sometimes be arranged. For young children or patients who cannot remain still, sedation or general anesthesia is sometimes used.

How do I know if my pacemaker is MRI-compatible?

Look for the implant card from your pacemaker surgery, which lists the manufacturer and model. Your cardiologist can also look this up. Most pacemakers implanted since 2011 are labeled MR-conditional and can be scanned at 1.5 Tesla with a cardiac team present. Your radiology facility will coordinate with your cardiologist before the exam.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Key Takeaways

MRI uses no ionizing radiation — it works with a powerful magnet and radio waves — but the magnetic field interacts with metal and certain medical devices in ways that require screening before every scan.
Tell your technologist about every implant or device, including pacemakers, cochlear implants, insulin pumps, aneurysm clips, and joint replacements. Many are MRI-compatible, but the exact model must be confirmed.
Claustrophobia affects roughly 5–10% of patients. Options include open MRI scanners, distraction techniques, and, when needed, mild sedation. Tell the scheduling team in advance.
For contrast-enhanced MRIs, your doctor may order a creatinine blood test first to check kidney function — gadolinium contrast is cleared by the kidneys.
The entire pre-scan screening process takes 5–10 minutes and exists to protect you, not slow things down. Answer every question honestly.

Why MRI Safety Screening Matters

Before the Day of Your Scan

Step 1: Gather Your Implant Information

Devices that require verification include:

Cardiac pacemakers and ICDs — Many modern pacemakers are labeled "MR-conditional," meaning they can be scanned under specific conditions with a trained team present. Older models may be MR-unsafe. Never assume compatibility; always verify the model.
Cochlear implants — Most cochlear implants are MR-conditional. The external device must be removed; internal components require specific sequences and field strengths.
Neurostimulators and spinal cord stimulators — Compatibility varies widely by model; some require reprogramming before and after the scan.
Insulin pumps — Most must be removed before entering the scanner room.
Aneurysm clips and stents — Older aneurysm clips may be ferromagnetic. Newer vascular stents are generally safe after 6–8 weeks of implantation while the body encapsulates them.
Joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder) — Most modern orthopedic implants are made from titanium or non-ferromagnetic alloys and are safe for MRI, though they can create image artifact near the implant site.

Step 2: Inform Your Doctor About Special Circumstances

Before the day of your scan, tell your ordering physician if:

You are pregnant or might be pregnant. MRI is generally avoided during the first trimester unless medically necessary, because the developing fetus is most sensitive to any potential effects. After the first trimester, MRI is used when the clinical need outweighs uncertainty.
You have kidney disease or reduced kidney function. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are cleared by the kidneys. Patients with severely reduced kidney function (eGFR below 30 mL/min) face a small risk of a rare condition called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis if certain contrast agents are used. Your doctor may order a creatinine blood test first.
You have severe claustrophobia. Flag this at the time of scheduling — not on the day of the scan — so the team can discuss options and, if needed, arrange sedation.
You have ever had metal fragments near your eyes. Metalworkers, welders, and others who work with metal sometimes have tiny fragments embedded in the eye. These can move inside the magnetic field and cause injury. A plain X-ray of the orbits before MRI is typically performed to rule this out.

Day-of Checklist

On the day of your MRI, the technologist will guide you through formal screening. Here is what to expect and how to prepare:

What to Wear

Wear loose, comfortable clothing with no metal. Athletic wear, sweatpants, and cotton tops work well. Underwire bras, jeans with metal rivets, and tops with metallic prints or zippers must be removed.
Remove all jewelry before leaving home if possible — rings, earrings, necklaces, piercings, and hair accessories. This saves time at the facility.
Leave your watch, wallet, and phone in a locker provided by the facility. Magnetic cards (credit cards, key fobs) placed inside the scanner room can be demagnetized.

What to Tell the Technologist

Even if you answered a screening questionnaire online, you will be asked again in person. Answer every question, including:

All implants and devices (even dental implants and bridges, though most are safe)
Any history of metal work, welding, or machining
Any previous surgery on your brain, spine, heart, or blood vessels
Any tattoos (some older tattoo inks contain metallic compounds and may cause mild warmth; modern inks are generally safe)
Any shrapnel or metal from an injury or military service

Food and Medication

Most MRI scans require no fasting. You can eat and take your regular medications as usual.
If your scan uses contrast, follow your facility's specific instructions. Some require avoiding food for 2–4 hours before the scan; others do not.

Managing Claustrophobia

If you experience anxiety in tight spaces, you have several options:

Open MRI scanners use a wider bore or open sides. Image quality may be slightly lower than a standard closed bore, but is sufficient for most clinical questions.
Wide-bore scanners (70 cm bore width, compared to the standard 60 cm) fit larger patients more comfortably and reduce the enclosed feeling.
Feet-first positioning is used for knee, ankle, and some abdominal scans — only your feet and legs enter the machine, keeping your head outside.
Mild sedation prescribed by your physician can reduce anxiety significantly. Arrange this in advance; you will need a driver home afterward.
Distraction techniques — headphones with music or audiobooks, eye shades, and breathing exercises — help many patients complete the scan without medication.

Tell the scheduling team about your claustrophobia at the time of booking so they can schedule adequate time and arrange the right setup.

MRI Pre-Scan Safety Checklist for Patients

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