Jefferson School of Health Professions Professor and Alumni Receive Prestigious Grant

PHILADELPHIA, PA (11/13/2012)(readMedia)-- Richard Weening, PhD, RT(R)(CT)(MR), FAEIRS, an associate professor in the Department of Radiologic Sciences at Thomas Jefferson University's School of Health Professions (JSHP) and alumni Rimmon Greenidge, MS, RT(R)(MR) '07 and Peter Natale, MS, RT(R)(MR) '86, received a $10,000 grant from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Foundation. The grant will be used to investigate MRI safety practices in hospitals throughout the United States and determine risk factors for MRI patient safety incidents.

This study, the first to systematically survey MRI safety procedures in the United States, will gather current MRI safety data through a survey that will be distributed to chief MRI technologists/MRI supervisors at approximately 5,400 hospitals. The survey results will then be tabulated and analyzed to determine the greatest safety risk factors for MRI patients.

"This research study is designed to help fill a gap that currently exists in our knowledge about MRI safety practices," said Weening, the principal investigator. "People believe that adverse MRI events are occurring in hospitals, but in order to address issues involving MRI patient survey, the actual extent of the problem and its underlying causes first need to be better identified."

Since 1984, the ASRT Education and Research Foundation has provided over $1.5 million in funding for radiologic science research and programs. The ASRT Foundation is the world's leading source of charitable funding for the education, professional development and advancement of students and professionals in medical imaging and radiation therapy.

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About Thomas Jefferson University

The Department of Radiologic Sciences at Jefferson School of Health Professions is part of Thomas Jefferson University (TJU), the largest free standing academic health center in Philadelphia and nationally renowned for medical and health sciences education and innovative research. Founded in 1824, TJU also includes Jefferson Medical College (JMC), the Jefferson Schools of Nursing, Health Professions and Population Health and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Jefferson University Physicians is TJU's multi-specialty physician practice consisting of the full-time faculty of JMC. Thomas Jefferson University partners with its clinical affiliate, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals.