Improving pediatric magnetic resonance imaging safety by enhanced non-technical skills and team collaboration

Safe pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ideally relies on non-sedative techniques, as avoiding risky sedation is inherently safer. However, in practice, sedation often becomes unavoidable, particularly for younger children or those with anxiety, to ensure motion-free, high-quality imaging. This narrative review explores the current practices and proposes strategies to enhance safety in pediatric MRI examinations.

We identified and analyzed 247 studies addressing various aspects of pediatric MRI safety, including sedation protocols, patient monitoring, and team-based management approaches.

Safe sedation requires careful drug selection tailored to individual needs, continuous monitoring, and robust emergency preparedness. While efforts are underway to minimize sedation, safer drug protocols and improved monitoring technologies remain essential. Assembling dedicated MRI teams trained in both technical and non-technical skills-such as situational awareness, communication, and teamwork-supports these strategies. Structured team briefings covering monitoring procedures, emergency scenarios, response protocols, and specific resuscitation roles are also critical. Developing a strong organizational culture that promotes patient safety and continuous learning from incident reports helps ensure ongoing improvements.

Achieving safe pediatric MRI examinations requires balancing the need for sedation with the goal of minimizing its use. Strengthening collaboration, refining sedation protocols, and implementing advanced safety monitoring systems are essential steps. Further advancements in imaging technologies are also necessary to reliably obtain high-quality scans without sedation, reducing risks and improving patient outcomes.