Porter Health Care System has recently installed a new Philips Ingenia 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI) at its Valparaiso Medical Center located on the corner of Roosevelt and Glendale Ave. in Valparaiso. The new wide-bore MRI improves image quality and speed, and offers patients a more comfortable experience.
“This new type of MRI features a wider hole (or bore), which is both shorter and wider, so it provides more headroom and space compared to an open MRI,” explained Nancy Babich, director of Diagnostic Imaging for Porter Health Care System. “The larger bore also reduces a patient’s anxiety and helps alleviate feelings of claustrophobia and fear. Plus, this new scanner is built to accommodate larger patients up to 550 pounds who may otherwise be denied diagnostic imaging.”
According to Babich, the magnets used in the wide bore scanners are stronger than those used in an open scanner, so the image quality is significantly better. “Advanced MRI technology facilitates high quality imaging in a shorter time with less noise. The less time patients are laying on an imaging table, the easier it is for them to remain still and cooperate with breathing instructions – another key to imaging success.”
To add to a patient’s comfort, Porter’s new wide-bore MRI is equipped with a magnacoustics communication and music system, offering patients an iPod docking station, CD player and radio capabilities so they may listen to music during the test. Patients are encouraged to bring their own iPod, iPhone, or CD of their choice.
The new wide-bore MRI scanner is available by appointment five days a week. For more information on the diagnostic imaging services at Porter, visit www.porterhealth.com.
Porter Health Care System has two hospital campuses and seven outpatient facilities serving Porter, Lake, LaPorte, Starke, Newton, Marshall and Jasper counties. With more than 350 physicians representing 50 medical specialties on the medical staff, Porter Health Care System is committed to medical excellence and personalized, patient-centered care.