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The Ultimate MRI Maintenance Checklist for Administrators

Proactive Maintenance: The Key to MRI System Reliability

MRI systems are the backbone of modern diagnostics, but without proper maintenance, they can fall victim to costly downtime, helium loss, and performance issues. While routine maintenance is critical, the best way to ensure 24/7 system health is through TMC’s Remote Monitoring service. This service takes the burden of monitoring off your shoulders, allowing our experts to detect issues in real time and ensure maintenance is scheduled before emergencies arise.

As Sean Mykleby, President of Total Magnet Care, explains:
“The benefit of proactive system maintenance is avoiding downtime and limiting costs associated with helium loss. With TMC, our clients can rest easy knowing their cryo systems are always in expert hands.”

Why an MRI Maintenance Checklist Matters

Having a structured maintenance checklist empowers MRI center administrators and technicians to:

  1. Prevent costly failures by catching small issues before they escalate.
  2. Ensure compliance with manufacturer specifications and operational standards.
  3. Minimize downtime by keeping systems operating at peak efficiency.

The TMC-Approved MRI Maintenance Checklist

Follow this checklist daily to maintain your MRI system’s health. We recommend assigning a designated onsite technician to complete it at the start and end of each day.

TaskDetailsAction if Issue is Detected
Create a System LogMaintain a daily log to track key metrics. Include columns for magnet pressure, helium levels, and system performance notes.Contact TMC for assistance if discrepancies are found in log records.
Check Magnet PressureVerify the magnet pressure is within system specifications. Record the reading in your log.If unsure of specifications or pressure is off, contact TMC for guidance.
Monitor Helium LevelsRecord helium levels daily. A change of more than 1% in 24 hours could indicate a system issue.Contact TMC immediately if helium loss exceeds 1%.
Inspect Coldhead and CompressorListen for the MRI’s chirping sound to confirm the coldhead and compressor are operational.If you hear banging or abnormal sounds, contact TMC to assess potential cryogen system issues.

Partnering with TMC for Maintenance Excellence

TMC goes beyond just providing a checklist—we’re your partner in ensuring MRI systems operate seamlessly. With our Remote Monitoring service, we take real-time responsibility for your system’s critical metrics, detecting potential issues before they become problems.

Our experts monitor:

  • Magnet pressure
  • Helium levels
  • Coldhead and compressor status
  • Chilled water flow and temperature

When an issue arises, our team immediately diagnoses the problem and provides actionable recommendations, saving you time and money.

Download Your Free TMC Maintenance Checklist

Simplify your daily maintenance routine with our TMC Maintenance Checklist PDF. This easy-to-use document includes space to record all critical metrics and ensures your team stays on top of daily maintenance. Add checklist link

H2: Real-World Example: Preventing Downtime with Daily Maintenance

A regional MRI center avoided a costly helium loss thanks to their proactive use of TMC’s checklist. During their daily inspection, the technician noticed a 2% drop in helium levels. They immediately contacted TMC, who identified a minor leak in the cryogen system and resolved it before significant helium loss occurred. This saved the center thousands of dollars in repairs and lost operating time.