Thanks to you, Sault Area Hospital is equipped with the latest MRI technology.
A final goodbye to our old MRI
Patient care is at the heart of every decision at Sault Area Hospital. That’s why, when the Medical Imaging team predicted that installation of a new MRI machine would take three months, they found a creative way to continue providing care.
“If we had zero access to an MRI machine, hundreds of patients would have had to travel to Sudbury or Toronto,” explains Franci Rogers, Manager of Medical Imaging.
Sault Area Hospital reduced impact on patients by instating a specially-designed mobile MRI unit.
“The mobile unit helped in the transition to the new MRI,” Franci says. “It helped a lot of patients to access the care they needed through June, July and August.”
The upgraded MRI is now installed and serving the residents of Algoma.
Hello to our brand-new MRI machine!
When talking about the new machine, Franci and her colleague, Lisa Shackleton, light up with excitement. The new MRI benefits from ten years of technological advancement.
“So many patients rely on Sault Area Hospital. It is vital that we keep up with the latest technology to continue to provide an excellent standard of care. I am so thankful to the donors who have made this replacement possible.”
Franci Rogers, Manager of Medical Imaging
“The new MRI has sensors that can detect the patient’s body and automatically move them into the best position for the scan. This saves time and improves accuracy – previously, positioning was done manually.” Lisa comments.
“The MRI offers artificial intelligence that helps the team swiftly identify internal organs and abnormal tissues that may be a sign of disease or injury,” Franci shares, “which means we can diagnose patients accurately and quickly.”
The new technology makes MRI scans more comfortable, for both patients and staff. The bore(opening) is wider, making the experience less claustrophobic. The table can be lowered further, helping patients to transition from wheelchair to bed more easily. Accessories that are used to acquire imaging (RF coils) now weigh less, reducing the risk of injury for the staff who lift them every day.
Your donations funded a brand new and improved MRI machine.
On behalf of Franci, her team, and the thousands of patients who will benefit from this equipment: thank you for your continued support.
Sault Area Hospital can provide outstanding care to Algoma residents thanks to donations from our community.
