Latest news with #CharlesWinterfeldt
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
MRI room turns deadly: How a 61-year-old man's necklace cost him his life
A 61-year-old man tragically lost his life after being violently pulled into an active MRI machine by the metal necklace he was wearing. The fatal incident occurred at Nassau Open MRI in Long Island on Wednesday afternoon, and the victim—whose identity has not been released—succumbed to his injuries the following day at the hospital. NBC New York reported that the man entered the MRI room while the machine was already running, wearing a substantial metal chain around his neck. It remains unclear whether he was a patient or simply visiting the facility. According to CBS News, a witness stated that the man had been warned not to enter but rushed in after reportedly hearing a relative scream. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category MCA CXO Cybersecurity Healthcare Degree MBA Data Analytics Public Policy Leadership Others Digital Marketing Technology others Data Science Product Management Artificial Intelligence Project Management Management Data Science Design Thinking Skills you'll gain: Programming Proficiency Data Handling & Analysis Cybersecurity Awareness & Skills Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Master of Computer Applications Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details The powerful magnetic force of the MRI machine turned the metal necklace into a deadly projectile. Charles Winterfeldt, director of imaging services at North Shore University Hospital, explained to CBS, 'It [the necklace] would act like a torpedo trying to get into the middle of the center of the magnet.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perfectly Timed Photos You Won't Believe Are Real Read More Undo In response to the incident, New York's Department of Health acknowledged a regulatory gap in MRI facility oversight, stating, 'MRI facilities in NY are not regulated as part of diagnostic and treatment centers, so are therefore not subject to routine inspections.' An investigation into the fatal accident is now underway. Understanding the dangers of MRI machines Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a vital diagnostic tool that uses extremely strong magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves to produce detailed images of the body's internal structures. However, the same magnetic power poses serious risks when metal objects are present in the room. Live Events Even the smallest metal item can be transformed into a high-speed projectile. Speaking to CBS News, Dr. Payal Sud from North Shore University Hospital emphasized the importance of safety protocols: 'The dangers [of not following protocol] could be catastrophic, and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place. If this was a chain that was wrapped around the neck, I could imagine any kind of strangulation injuries that could happen. Asphyxiation, cervical spine injuries.' While rare, fatal and serious injuries linked to MRI equipment have occurred before. In a 2001 case in New York, a six-year-old boy died after a metal oxygen tank was pulled into the machine during his scan. In 2018, a man in India was killed in a similar manner. More recently, in 2023, a nurse in California sustained severe injuries after being crushed between an MRI unit and a hospital bed pulled by magnetic force. As highlighted by The New York Times, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering has consistently warned of these dangers: the magnetic field is so powerful it can even 'fling a wheelchair across the room.' This is why strict protocols are in place, and patients are required to remove all metallic objects—including jewelry, piercings, and sometimes implants—before entering the MRI suite. [Inputs from TOI]
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Man, 61, dies in freak accident after being pulled into an MRI machine by his metal necklace
A man has died after being pulled into an MRI machine by the metal chain around his neck, his body thrown by the machine's invisible force. The 61-year-old, who has not yet been publicly identified, suffered catastrophic injuries after he entered an active MRI room at Nassau Open MRI in Long Island on Wednesday afternoon. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He was rushed to the hospital but died the next day. According to NBC New York, the man was wearing a large metal necklace when he entered the scan room while the machine was already engaged. It remains unclear whether he was a patient or a visitor at the facility. A witness told CBS News that he had been warned not to enter, but reportedly ran inside after hearing a relative scream. That metal chain, in the presence of the machine's powerful magnetic field, became a deadly projectile. "It [the necklace] would act like a torpedo trying to get into the middle of the center of the magnet," Charles Winterfeldt, director of imaging services at North Shore University Hospital, told CBS. New York's Department of Health released a statement which said: "MRI facilities in NY are not regulated as part of diagnostic and treatment centers, so are therefore not subject to routine inspections." They are investigating the accident. How do MRI machines work, and are they dangerous? Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) relies on intensely strong magnets and radiofrequency currents to produce detailed internal images of the human body. Those same magnetic fields, however, can become lethal in the presence of metal. Even tiny objects can become deadly in that space. Dr. Payal Sud, a physician at North Shore University Hospital, explained to CBS News, 'The dangers [of not following protocol] could be catastrophic, and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now If this was a chain that was wrapped around the neck, I could imagine any kind of strangulation injuries that could happen. Asphyxiation, cervical spine injuries. ' Not the first time Injuries and fatalities linked to MRI magnets are very rare, but there have been a few exceptions. In 2001, a six-year-old boy died in New York when a metal oxygen tank was drawn into the MRI bore during his scan. In India, 2018, a man was killed the same way. More recently, in 2023, a California nurse suffered serious injuries after being crushed between an MRI machine and a hospital bed pulled by the magnetic force. The New York Times noted that the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering has long warned about these risks: the magnetic field is strong enough to fling a wheelchair across the room. It's why patients are instructed to remove all metal jewelry, piercings, or even certain implants before stepping inside.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Man dies after being sucked into MRI machine while wearing ‘large metal necklace' in horror freak accident
He was yanked off his feet by the magnetic pull, witnesses say HOSPITAL TRAGEDY Man dies after being sucked into MRI machine while wearing 'large metal necklace' in horror freak accident Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN has died after he was sucked into an MRI machine in a shock freak accident. The 61-year-old man suffered catastrophic injuries while a scan was taking place on Wednesday afternoon - and died the following day. 4 A man was sucked into an MRI machine while wearing a metal necklace (file photo) Credit: Getty 4 The incident happened in Long Island Credit: Getty According to NBC New York, the man had entered an MRI room at Nassau Open MRI in Long Island - where a scan was underway. He was wearing a large metallic chain around his neck, they said, and it caused him to be pulled of his feet and into the machine. It resulted in a "medical episode" and the man - who has not been identified - was rushed to hospital with critical injuries. He died the next day, police said. It's not yet clear if the man was a patient at the MRI center at the time - or why he entered the room. A witness told CBS News the man was told to stay out of the room. But he reportedly ran inside after hearing a relative screaming. New York's Department of Health said it was reviewing the incident. It said: "MRI facilities in NY are not regulated as part of diagnostic and treatment centers, so are therefore not subject to routine inspections." MRI machines use powerful magnets that can pull in metal objects - and this makes it unsafe to bring metal of any kind near the machine. Factory worker, 19, sucked in and killed by meat grinder despite desperate colleagues attempts to save him- And the magnetic field is always on - meaning even small objects can cause accidents. Dr. Payal Sud, a doctor from North Shore University Hospital, told CBS: "The dangers [of not following protocol] could be catastrophic and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place. "If this was a chain that was wrapped around the neck, I could imagine any kind of strangulation injuries that could happen. Asphyxiation, cervical spine injuries." Charles Winterfeldt, the hospital's director of imaging services, said: "It [the necklace] would act like a torpedo trying to get into the middle of the center of the magnet." North Shore says that MRI machines can pose a particular danger to people with oxygen tanks, in wheelchairs or those even wearing magnetic jewelry. Patients are instructed to remove all metal and electrical objects before getting scanned, according to North Shore. However, experts say injuries and deaths tied to objects being pulled by the magnetic field of MRI machines are rare. 4 Nassau Open MRI on Old Country Road in Westbury Credit: Google
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Man sucked into MRI machine dies from his injuries, Long Island police say
A man who was sucked into an MRI machine and suffered severe injuries on New York's Long Island has died, according to police. Nassau County police said the man, 61, was wearing a large metallic chain and entered an MRI room while a scan was in progress Wednesday at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury. The magnetic machine pulled the chain around his neck, causing him to be drawn in as well. Police said a witness told them he defied orders to stay out of the room after he heard a patient, his relative, screaming during the scan. The man died from his injuries the day after the incident, police said. MRI machines can be especially dangerous around people with oxygen tanks, in wheelchairs or wearing magnetic jewelry. That's why patients are told to remove all metal and electrical objects before getting scanned, doctors and staff at North Shore University Hospital told CBS News New York. "It would act like a torpedo trying to get into the middle of the center of the magnet," Charles Winterfeldt, the hospital's director of imaging services, said. "The dangers could be catastrophic and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place," Dr. Payal Sud said. Still, experts say injuries and deaths tied to MRI machines are rare when magnets pull an object from inside a room. Nassau Open MRI, which has multiple locations in the New York area, declined CBS News New York's initial request for comment.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Man sucked into MRI machine dies from injuries, Long Island police say
A man who was sucked into an MRI machine and suffered severe injuries on New York's Long Island has died, according to police. Nassau County police said the man, 61, was wearing a large metallic chain and entered an MRI room while a scan was in progress Wednesday at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury. The magnetic machine pulled the chain around his neck, causing him to be drawn in as well. Police said a witness told them he defied orders to stay out of the room after he heard a patient, his relative, screaming during the scan. The man died from his injuries the day after the incident, police said. MRI machines can be especially dangerous around people with oxygen tanks, in wheelchairs or wearing magnetic jewelry. That's why patients are told to remove all metal and electrical objects before getting scanned, doctors and staff at North Shore University Hospital told CBS News New York. "It would act like a torpedo trying to get into the middle of the center of the magnet," Charles Winterfeldt, the hospital's director of imaging services, said. "The dangers could be catastrophic and it underscores why we have all the safety precautions in place," Dr. Payal Sud said. Still, experts say injuries and deaths tied to MRI machines are rare when magnets pull an object from inside a room. Nassau Open MRI, which has multiple locations in the New York area, declined CBS News New York's initial request for comment.
