MRI technology enables advanced vascular sceening at Spire hospital

Published: 10-Apr-2012

Static solution helps Tyne and Wear hospital provide ongoing access to MRI


Spire Washington Hospital in Washington, Tyne and Wear, has installed a MAGNETOM Avanto 1.5T MRI system in an effort to boost patient throughput and improve workflow efficiency.

The static system, supplied by Siemens Healthcare, replaces a mobile solution which was shared between multiple sites and will enable the private healthcare provider to conduct rapid scans and provide patients with access to MRI imaging on an ongoing basis. It also enables the hospital to offer dedicated vascular imaging and has provided the opportunity for further applications in the future, including cardiac scanning and advanced musculoskeletal imaging.

The system has a low-to-the-floor table position of just 47cm that can support patients of up to 250kg and enables feet-first exams to be conducted for nearly all MR procedures. Its AudioComfort functionality uses special magnet suspension, special casting for gradient coils and a unique MR sequence design to greatly reduce noise, further supporting patient comfort.

Mark Pendleton, imaging services manager at the hospital, said: “Radiologists have commented on the image quality from the new system and described it as ‘exquisite’, especially images from arthrograms. Patients have also given feedback on short scan times and the bright, less claustrophobic environment.”

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