Hold Still: Mitigating Noise and Vibration From MRIs

Demands on the quality and resolution of images have increased, requiring stronger magnetic fields and extreme gradient sequences that have generally increased both noise emissions from the MRI and the vibration sensitivity of the MRI.

In past years, MRIs and other vibration sensitive equipment were often located in the building basement on a grade supported slab. More and more, owing to workflow, patient needs and space efficiency considerations, this equipment is being moved up in the building onto structural floors. In some cases, financial pressures are encouraging health systems to repurpose office or other nonclinical space and use it for outpatient medical diagnosis. The repurposed space is often not well-suited for the installation of an MRI, particularly when it comes to noise transmission. This article was published in Facility Care in November 2014.