MOULTRIE, Ga. — Colquitt Regional Medical Center recently obtained a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device that will allow for higher quality images and quicker exam times. The Siemens MAGNETOM Skyra Maximize 3T is an MRI scanner that will aid in producing scans for patients with concerns primarily in the areas of neurology, orthopedics, and head, neck and   spine.

The benefits of this superior system will improve the patient experience immensely, the hospital said in a press release. A 70-centimeter opening allows for a less restrictive exam and will provide extra comfort. Those patients who previously felt too confined in a traditional MRI may be more comfortable in this newer version. There is also a noise reduction component that produces a quieter environment.

“We are looking toward the future with the addition of the 3T MRI,” said Colquitt Regional President and CEO Jim Matney. “We are committed to incorporating these top-of-the-line technologies to continue revolutionizing healthcare at Colquitt Regional. Acquiring devices like the 3T MRI and recent additions such as the mobile x-ray system ensures that we are giving our patients access to the best equipment in the field.”

The 3T MRI can yield scans up to 40% faster than other MRI devices, the hospital said. Using the GOBrain feature, physicians can compose a brain scan at the push of a button, in as little as five minutes. GOBrain is a set of optimized protocols for diagnostic neuroimaging that provide a wide range of scan contrasts and orientations.

Physicians are also able to view scans through web-based technology for on-the-go examination. This means the physician ordering the MRI can have access to the scans much more quickly than in the past when scans were sent via disk.

“The 3T MRI has already been extremely beneficial to our radiology department. It has been helpful in expediting exam times, providing a less restrictive environment for patients, and reducing anxiety typically associated with having an MRI,” said Hospital Authority Chairman Maureen A. Yearta Ed.D. “I continue to be impressed with the strides Colquitt Regional is making in technological advancements and patient care.”

For more information, please contact David Spence, RT (R, ARRT) at (229) 890-3552.