AR Connect

Best Practice Considerations for Remote MRI Scanning

Published Date: July 1, 2025
By McKenna Bryant

Listen to the interview with Emanuel Kanal, MD, FACR, FISMRM

Remote MRI scanning is an emerging practice in radiology that enables facilities to address staffing shortages and expand access to high-quality imaging to patients across the globe. It gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic and has quickly spread as remote work becomes more popular.

Remote MRI scanning is when an experienced MRI technologist, located somewhere other than the MRI suite, performs the actual MRI scan on a patient. These MRI technologists remotely connect to the scanner using specialized software and hardware, often using live video and audio feeds to see and communicate with patients during scans. However, and important to note, another onsite technologist or tech assistant positions the patient and manages their needs while they are in the scanner.

Emanuel Kanal, MD, FACR, FISMRM, AANG, Chief of Emergency Radiology and Director of Magnetic Resonance Services in the Department of Radiology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), is a proponent of remote MRI scanning. He groups remote MRI scanning into two categories: “scanning with you” and “scanning for you.”

“Scanning with you” is fairly common. Here, the experienced MRI technologist remotely collaborates with the onsite MRI technologist to conduct the scan. This time can be used to train, observe and improve the skills of the onsite MRI technologist. Or, to improve workflow efficiencies, the remote technologist can actually scan the patient from the remote location.

“Scanning for you” is the next era of remote scanning. It happens when an experienced technologist with unique knowledge and understanding of specific MRI protocols matching the patient’s needs, remotely scans the patients without another MRI technologist in the MRI suite. In this case, an onsite tech aid will manage patient positioning, contrast administration and all non-scanning, on-site-related MRI safety considerations for the patient.

Both remote MRI scanning opportunities allow facilities to recruit technologists who might not want to relocate and are willing to work remotely. “An exceptionally skilled technologist can live anywhere they want yet still be involved with MR imaging of patients. In a time of staffing shortages, it's a pretty powerful argument for this modality,” said Dr Kanal.

Benefiting Patients and MRI Staff

Remote MRI scanning brings high-quality healthcare to the patient, enabling MR imaging access in areas that lack experienced MRI technologists.

“Remote MRI scanning democratizes talent. You no longer have to be in an ivory tower to have the best technologists or physicians. You can now access anyone with the talent that you need. It doesn't make a difference whether you’re rural or not,” said Dr Kanal.

It also shines a light on the role of experienced MRI technologists in delivering high-quality MR imaging. “Technologists are worth their weight in gold. They’re a scarce resource now, and they will choose where they work and the conditions under which they work. It's turned the entire industry around and might provide new value to the position of MRI technologists,” said Dr Kanal.

Establishing Safety Standards for Remote MRI Scanning

Dr Kanal heads the safety committee for the UPMC Department of Radiology and is the former head of the MRI safety committee for the American College of Radiology (ACR). He calls MRI remote scanning “the wild west” of radiology, with few standards that establish safety guidelines for facilities and staff.

However, that’s beginning to change. In November 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved new IAC Standards and Guidelines for MRI Accreditation related to remote scanning and portable imaging machines. These revisions help imaging facilities implement policies that ensure the safe delivery of MR imaging, including when key personnel are located off-site.

They’re the first standards to require that a registered technologist always remains with the patient during remote scans, ensuring that qualified personnel are present to provide care. To achieve accreditation, facilities delivering remote MRI services must institute and adhere to policies addressing potential equipment or communication failures, internet instability and power outages. Imaging providers also must follow division of responsibility rules and comply with standards already in place for local MRI operations when delivering remote scans. 

Dr Kanal encourages sites to establish standardized practices for MRI procedures in emergencies and during adverse events that impact patients. “Plan for things that will go wrong. Identify them when everything is safe on the ground, before you implement a clinical plan for remote MRI scanning. We need to standardize the approach everywhere so we're all on the same page,” he said.

Tracking Important MRI Safety Updates

The recently released update of the ACR Manual on MR Safety also includes guidance for remote MRI scanning. “The ACR recommends having at least one Level 2 MRI technologist onsite who is monitoring the patients that are being remotely scanned,” said Robert E. Watson Jr., MD, PhD, FACR, Chair of the ACR Committee on MR Safety.

Dr. Kanal is calling for a new position called the MR Safety Technologist who will monitor patient safety in the MRI suite and who takes directions from the remote MRI technologist and radiologist. “If you’re going to do remote MRI scanning, somebody has to maintain MRI safety knowledge onsite,” he said. “They're overseeing safety on the ground. They’re much more than a regular tech aide or assistant, yet they're not an advanced skilled MRI technologist either.”

To that end, the American Board of MR Safety (ABMRS) is creating a new MRI Safety Technologist (MRST) credentialing examination in 2025. This initiative aims to ensure that the onsite MR Safety Techs are primarily responsible for all MR safety aspects, except for those directly related to the MR scanning process itself.

The Remote MR Technologist who is performing the scan is responsible for the safety aspects of the scan being performed on the patient. The MR Safety Tech is responsible for all the non-scanning-related MR safety considerations, such as restricting site access to prevent housekeeping from bringing a buffing machine into Zone IV, adverse reactions that the patient might report during scanning, emergency quench considerations, and responding to emergencies that might arise in the MR site.

This title distinguishes the responsibilities and liabilities of an MR Safety Tech from those of an experienced MRI technologist who has the advanced skills necessary to manage MRI protocols, imaging execution and image quality control. The MRST position is “an attempt to identify minimum qualifications that ensure applicants have at least the minimum knowledge necessary to safely execute the responsibilities and duties of the position of an MR Safety Tech,” said Dr Kanal.

Preparing for the Future of Remote MRI Scanning

Remote MRI scanning represents a transformative shift in radiology, addressing staffing shortages, improving access to expertise and expanding delivery of care. However, it also demands a strong focus on safety and standardization. As industry organizations work to establish guidelines and certifications, remote MRI scanning is poised to take its place at the forefront of diagnostic imaging.

“Everything will change once standard definitions, job descriptions and certification examinations come out. Once standardization is out there, there will be a bar set for people to reach. And I predict there will be substantial efforts to meet that bar for standardization and certification so more facilities can safely offer remote MRI scanning,” Dr Kanal said.

Please share your MRI safety experience with Applied Radiology | 2025 MRI Safety Survey

Resources