PEMBROKE – The Pembroke Regional Hospital achieved a major milestone last week in its journey to bringing MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to the region as the 12,000 pound magnet and related equipment arrived on site.
The fundamental advantage of MRI technology is that the process is radiation-free, non-invasive and extremely detailed. The MRI image provides much greater contrast between the different tissues of the body than computed tomography (CT) does, making it especially useful in imaging the brain, muscles and joints, the heart and for use in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“Having an MRI here will be a tremendous advancement in the diagnostic imaging capabilities available to patients in Renfrew County. It will reduce wait times and travel time and allow advanced imaging to be done locally,” said radiologist Dr. Fred Matzinger, who is Chief of Diagnostic Imaging at Pembroke Regional Hospital.
As part of last Tuesday’s installation process, the magnet was lowered through an opening in the new MRI suite which is now part of the hospital’s diagnostic imaging department.
MRI Technologist Lindsay Roosen, the hospital’s MRI Team Lead, was on hand for the installation and was thrilled to be able to watch it come in through the roof.
“I am excited for what this means for those living in our region in terms of having this high quality MRI scanner,” Ms. Roosen said. “This is great for our community. Our patients will save time and travel costs. I can’t wait to welcome them into our new MRI suite and start scanning.”
And it won’t be long before she can.
“Already, we have started to notify physicians that they can make referrals and the plan is to start some patient scans the week of September 14th. The MRI will be ready to accept general referrals by all physicians starting October 1,” said Sabine Mersmann, Vice-President of Patient Services – Seniors and Community Care.
“We will have the experts from Siemens here working with our staff and physicians the week of September 14th as they scan some patients and some volunteers,” she said.
Until then, there are a few more steps that need to be completed including the hookup and testing of the machine, in addition to some finishing work in areas of the MRI suite.
PRH President and CEO Pierre Noel said “This is a very exciting time for our community and the patients we serve as we are in the final stages of preparing this new technology for use.”
He added that, once operational, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has provided funding for our MRI to operate Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Recognizing the tremendous fundraising effort it has taken to bring an MRI close to home, Executive Director Nancy Warren of the Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation said thousands of people have rallied together to bring this much needed technology to Renfrew County.
“This campaign journey has brought us together for a common goal and I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished as a regional family. Each and every donation continues to move us closer to the finish line with just under $240,000 needed to complete the campaign,” Ms. Warren said.
