Welcome, Doctors!
Are you planning to open an MRI centre in India and wondering where to begin? In this article, we’ll guide you step by step through the process of establishing and running an MRI centre, ensuring that your facility operates efficiently and adheres to essential standards. This will allow you to provide high-quality care to your patients.
To start, let’s first explore why an MRI centre is crucial in India and the difference it can make in the lives of millions. By understanding its importance, you’ll see how opening an MRI centre can significantly contribute to better diagnostic care and, ultimately, to improving healthcare access across the country.
Why is an MRI centre needed in India?
MRI plays a critical role in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, from neurological disorders to musculoskeletal injuries, cancer, and cardiovascular issues.
However, in India, access to advanced diagnostic tools like MRI is often limited, particularly in rural areas. This scarcity creates a significant gap in accurate and timely diagnosis, which can delay essential treatments and impact patient outcomes.
For instance, the National Cancer Registry Program report [1] highlighted that the number of cancer cases in India was estimated to be 1,461,427 in 2022, with projections indicating a 12.8% increase by 2025.
Such alarming statistics emphasize the pressing need for advanced diagnostic technologies like MRI and X-ray machines, which can help identify diseases early and improve patient care.
By opening an MRI facility, you can directly address these healthcare challenges, bridging the gap and providing high-quality diagnostic services to those who need it most.
Now that we’ve highlighted the importance of diagnostic tools in India, let’s dive into the minimum standards you must follow to establish an MRI centre in the country.
See Also: Open A Neurology Clinic In India: A Complete Guide For Doctors
Minimum Standards for Opening an MRI Centre in India
Minimum standards [2] are essential for setting up your own facility in India. Adhering to these standards ensures that your centre will provide safe, effective, and high-quality care to your patients. Let’s look at them in detail.
What is an MRI centre?
An MRI centre is a specialized medical facility equipped with MRI machines used to conduct diagnostic medical imaging of various parts of the body. The MRI centre’s scope of service should align with the type of MRI scanner it operates, whether it’s a basic MRI or one that includes advanced imaging capabilities such as vascular, cardiac, neurological, and functional imaging.
Scope of Services
The fundamental thing to decide while opening a diagnostic centre is the scope of services it will provide. The services your MRI imaging centre provides should match the capabilities of the MRI scanner. Typically, these services include:
- MRI scans of various regions or parts of the body, such as the brain, spine, joints, abdomen, and chest.
- Advanced imaging techniques, if applicable, such as cardiac, vascular, or neurological imaging.
Your MRI centre’s scope should align with the technology and features of the MRI scanner you plan to use.
Physical infrastructure required for MRI center
A well-structured MRI facility ensures a smooth and efficient experience for both patients and staff. The following infrastructure elements are mandatory:
Informative Signages
To ensure transparency and safety for both patients and staff, the following signage is required:
- Name and qualifications of the radiologist in charge
- Model of equipment used at the centre
- List of services offered
- Facility timings
- Fee structure for different investigations
- Safety signage, such as radiation warnings (where applicable)
Safety Hazard and Caution Signs:
- Fire exit signage to ensure quick evacuation in emergencies
- Metal detector availability to prevent interference with the MRI machine
Space Requirements:
The following spaces are necessary to ensure efficient operation and patient safety:
- Reception and waiting area
- Space for MRI machine
- Reporting room for analyzing and interpreting images
- Patient preparation area
- Toilets for patients
- Electrical facilities to support equipment
- Space for MRI-compatible patient monitoring equipment
- Communication system: Telephone, fax, internet, and emergency helplines
- Water and electricity supply
Build your Team
The success of your imaging centre largely depends on the competency and expertise of your staff. Your staff should be qualified and registered to ensure high standards of care and operational efficiency. For this, you must ensure that your team include:
- Qualified and Registered Radiologists: An MD or DMRD in Radiology, as per the workload of your centre.
- MRI Technicians: Qualified MRI technicians trained in recognized courses in radiology or MRI technology. Their role is critical in operating the MRI machine and ensuring proper patient care during the procedure.
- Nurses: Registered and qualified nurses should be available as per workload, especially in cases where sedation or anesthesia is required.
- Support Staff: Scavenging staff and other administrative support are essential for maintaining cleanliness, handling appointments, and other operational tasks.
- Health Checks for Staff: Periodic health check-ups and vaccinations should be conducted for all staff, ensuring their well-being and readiness for work.
Equipment and instruments needed for MRI centre
For your MRI center to operate effectively, you will need to have the following:
- MRI Scanner: The centre should be equipped with an MRI scanner appropriate for the services provided.
- Small Instruments: These include BP apparatus, pulse oximeters, and monitoring anaesthesia equipment if sedation is involved during the MRI scan.
- Consumables: Items such as films, report envelopes, CDs/DVDs for soft copies of reports, syringes, and tubing should be available as needed.
- Sterilization Equipment: These are necessary for maintaining hygiene and safety standards.
- Annual Maintenance: A robust maintenance protocol should be in place for your MRI scanner and other essential equipment to ensure their longevity and optimal functioning.
See Also: Opening A Clinic? Here’s How To Choose The Right Medical Equipment In India: 8 Key Factors
Support Services
Effective support services play a crucial role in ensuring that the MRI centre operates efficiently. Some of these services include:
- Emergency Transfer: A provision for the appropriate transfer of patients in case of an adverse event.
- Radiation Safety Officer: A designated officer should be available to manage and ensure radiation safety standards.
- Data Backup: Adequate measures to protect and back up patient data and scan reports.
Legal and statutory requirements to open MRI centre
Your MRI centre in India must adhere to the legal and regulatory framework governing medical imaging. This includes:
- Registration under the PCPNDT Act to ensure compliance with laws relating to prenatal diagnostic techniques.
- Adherence to guidelines set by the AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) for the safe operation of MRI equipment.
Record Maintenance
Proper record-keeping is necessary to maintain operational transparency and legal compliance.
- Patient details (diagnosis, referral hospital, etc.) must be recorded and preferably linked to a patient UID
- Medico-legal records, including consent forms for contrast or sedation
- Technician and support staff records, including their qualifications, training, and registration
- Maintain records in compliance with applicable Acts and Rules
- Statistics collection may be required as per operational needs
Best practices for MRI Centre
Your MRI center should also implement best practices for infection control, safety, and patient care. This includes:
- Adherence to infection control and waste management practices.
- Compliance with fire safety regulations and ensuring no metallic objects are near the MRI machine.
- Timely preparation and dispatch of MRI reports.
- Regular calibration of your MRI equipment and air-conditioning to maintain optimal conditions.
Wrapping it Up
Opening an MRI centre in India requires careful planning, adherence to legal and safety standards, and a strong commitment to providing high-quality patient care.
By following the minimum standards outlined in this guide, you ensure that your centre operates smoothly, providing diagnostic services that patients can rely on.
In establishing an MRI center, you are not just investing in technology, you are investing in the health and well-being of your patients.
The work you do will help save lives, enable timely diagnosis, and support the journey toward better healthcare for the communities you serve.
We hope this guide serves as a valuable resource as you embark on the rewarding journey of opening your own MRI centre in India.
References
- Sathishkumar K, Chaturvedi M, Das P, Stephen S, Mathur P. Cancer incidence estimates for 2022 & projection for 2025: Result from National Cancer Registry Programme, India. Indian J Med Res. 2022 Oct-Nov;156(4&5):598-607. doi: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_1821_22. PMID: 36510887; PMCID: PMC10231735.
