A Better Way to Get the Picture
A state-of-the-art MRI plus natural light adds up to a superior patient experience.
For many people, the prospect of being enclosed inside an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Inaging) scanner is at best uncomfortable—and at worst, terrifying. That’s because the traditional MRI system—a large, cylinder-shaped tube surrounded by a circular magnet—is a tight space that’s uncomfortable for larger patients and those with anxiety or claustrophobia.
New, state-of-the-art MRI technology puts patient comfort in the forefront at the Imaging Center at the Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center. The Center is one of the first imaging sites in the country to debut the latest generation in MRI systems: the Ingenia Elition 3.0T Wide Bore Digital High Definition MRI system from Philips Healthcare.
The new MRI system has a wider opening (known as a “bore”) than a traditional MRI. “From a patient point of view, it’s built for comfort, with less noise and a mattress that’s 90 percent more comfortable than previous models,” says Alan Garten, MD, Chairman of the Department of Radiology. “We’ve also designed the MRI area with banks of windows that bring in natural light from the outside. This has a huge impact on claustrophobic patients, who may find it difficult to stay still, which reduces diagnostic quality.
“In addition, this new system’s comfort features result in less patient movement, which, in turn, improves the quality of image,” Dr. Garten says. “The 3.0T Elition has been shown to reduce scan times up to 50 percent and reduce repeat scans by 70 percent.”
The new machine provides higher resolution. “This is especially significant in brain imaging, which is done for a large proportion of our patients. This system has been shown to improve resolution by up to 60 percent,” Dr. Garten says.
“This new MRI supports our commitment to ensuring our physicians and patients have access to the most innovative technologies that facilitate the safest quality care for our patients and their families,” says Stephen P. Zieniewicz, FACHE, President and CEO, Saint Barnabas Medical Center.
WHAT IS AN MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is often considered the gold standard in diagnosing medical conditions, ranging from neurological disorders to musculoskeletal conditions to cancer. Unlike a CT scan, which uses X-rays, an MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images.
For an MRI or imaging appointment at the Barnabas Health Ambulatory Care Center, call 973-322-7850.