June 18, 1999

Because of the increased demand for MRI services, the MGH has installed two temporary MRI scanners, both accessible from the first floor of the Founders Building. The first scanner was installed in January and has significantly decreased the wait for MRI services. The second scanner, which was installed June 12, is expected to further alleviate hospitalwide pressures for MRI exams.

The new scanners are being temporarily housed in trailers adjacent to Founders until the Ellison 2 MRI suite expansion is completed. According to Dick Ziegler of MGH Radiology, the two scanners will serve an additional 9,000 patients this year, reduce the inpatient and outpatient backlog for MRI services and generate net revenue for the hospital.

Although housed in temporary quarters, the mobile MRI units' features are similar to those on Ellison 2 and at CNY. The exams are performed by MGH technologists, and scans are interpreted by hospital radiologists.

Both new scanners have diffusion imaging capabilities, which can help with the early diagnosis of stroke. The scanners also include spectroscopy, which can help differentiate between certain types of disease processes in the brain.

"The MGH had the first hospital-based MRI in the United States, but we have struggled to keep up with the growing need for clinical MRI services," says James Thrall, MD, chief of MGH Radiology. "A change in policy by the Department of Public Health, which previously limited the purchase and use of MRI scanners, now allows the MGH to acquire the resources we need to properly take care of our patients."

To schedule a patient for an MRI, call 4-XRAY (4-9729).

Peggy Hacket, RT, assists a patient in the new MRI scanner.