The Medical Center at Albany to bring advanced imaging technology to Clinton and surrounding counties
On January 25, The Medical Center at Albany will enhance its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) service with new scanning technology that combines the advancements in MR with the sophisticated engineering of a 1.5T wide-bore system. This new scanner, the SIGNA™ Voyager from GE Healthcare, will provide a whole new level of patient comfort with minimized scan times and improved image quality.
MRI services are currently provided at Med Center MRI located off of the hospital campus at 254 Burkesville Road. The service will be moved on site to The Medical Center at Albany with an upgrade to a 1.5T scanner, the largest in the area. Med Center MRI currently uses a .3T scanner. The difference is the strength of the magnet. The higher magnet strength of the 1.5T improves image quality with higher detail. The new scanner also features a wide bore which refers to the open space in the middle of the scanner. The benefits associated with a wide bore includes increased image quality and increased patient comfort as compared to a narrow bore.
“This enhancement to our MRI service is just another example of The Medical Center at Albany’s commitment to providing residents of Clinton and surrounding counties with essential diagnostic imaging technology close to home,” said Laura Belcher, Administrator of The Medical Center at Albany. “Compared to previous technology, this new MRI produces sharper, detailed images that can help physicians make quicker and better diagnoses for patients.” The hospital also offers bone density, digital mammography, CT, radiology, nuclear medicine, ultrasound and echocardiography.
MRI is a non-invasive test used to diagnose disease and injury and monitor treatment of medical conditions in organs, tissues and the skeletal system. With the new scanner, The Medical Center at Albany will now have the ability to perform MRI exams with contrast. During this type of scan, contrast dye is injected into the patient to enhance the detail of the images for certain conditions.
A physician order is required for an MRI. Once a physician has ordered the test, either the patient or the physician’s office can call 606-387-6421 to schedule the test.