Beverly Hospital First in Nation with In-Bore Ambient Experience MRI
Beverly Hospital First in Nation with In-Bore Ambient Experience MRI
Danvers, MA (Dec. 3, 2015) – Beverly Hospital is changing the MRI experience for its patients.
It is the first hospital in the country that has an MRI machine which allows patients who are inside the MRI (or in-bore) an ambient experience. This state-of-the-art technology positions a video screen outside the MRI, while a mirror attached to the head gear lets patients focus on what’s playing on the screen instead of worrying about the exam, giving the sensation of more room as well as a visual distraction.
This new MRI, created by Philips, features the latest advancements in diagnostic imaging coupled with a relaxing, comfortable, patient-friendly environment proven to reduce anxiety. The new MRI, which is located at Lahey Outpatient Center, Danvers, is designed to occupy patients with an immersive viewing experience combined with sound and lighting.
“This will be a completely different experience for patients needing MRIs,” said Peter Curatolo, MD, medical director of MRI Services for Beverly Hospital. “It will help alleviate the stress, anxiety, and claustrophobic feelings some patients experience during an MRI.”
The Philips In-Bore Ambient Experience MRI Suite provides patients with an interactive experience, allowing them to choose from various video themes that integrate soothing music, lights, and imagery both in the room and inside the machine. Inside the machine there is a mirror which allows patients to watch a screen mounted behind the MRI.
“We pride ourselves on offering our patients the most advanced services in the region,” said Phil Cormier, CEO of Beverly and Addison Gilbert Hospitals. “This machine allows us to take better care of our patients in a more comfortable setting.”
MorrisSwitzer~Environments for Health designed the space, working closely with Beverly Hospital and Philips engineers to fully understand the unique architectural, engineering, and construction challenges for the technology and to create a calming patient experience. For example, rounded corners make the room feel larger, and equipment and supplies are hidden behind a wall in recessed storage, all to create a more soothing environment where technology and patient comfort intersect.
The benefits of the Ambient Experience MRI include:
- An interactive patient experience – patients can choose from a variety of video themes before they enter the scanner room.
- A multidimensional theatre effect with lighting, sound and video projection capabilities, even while the patient is in the scanner.
- A wider opening and shorter bore, providing substantially more space than a traditional MRI.
- More vertical space than an “open” bore scanner.
- Advanced noise reduction technology.
- Much faster scanning time.
- The ability to scan patients feet first for 70 percent of all exam types so their head is outside the scanner.
- A weight limit of 550 pounds, to better serve bariatric patients.
About Lahey Health
Lahey Health is what's next in healthcare, providing a full continuum of integrated health services close to where you live or work. It is comprised of nationally recognized, award-winning hospitals—including an academic hospital and medical center, and community hospitals—primary care providers, specialist physicians, behavioral health services, post-acute programs such as home health services, skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities, and senior care resources located throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.
Lahey Health offers nearly 1,000 locally based physicians providing clinical excellence and an exceptional patient experience in adult and pediatric primary care and every medical specialty, including kidney and liver transplantation; neurosurgery, cancer, cardiovascular and orthopedic medical and surgical care; local emergency and trauma care; urological surgery; chronic disease prevention and health management; and pediatric emergency, newborn and inpatient care provided in collaboration with Boston Children's Hospital physicians.
Lahey Health includes Lahey Hospital & Medical Center—a teaching hospital of Tufts University School of Medicine—and Lahey Clinic physician group with practices in Burlington, Peabody and other locations throughout northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire; Beverly Hospital; Addison Gilbert Hospital in Gloucester, Mass.; Winchester Hospital; Lahey Health Senior Care and Lahey Health Behavioral Services as well as more than 30 primary care physician practices and multiple outpatient and satellite specialty care facilities.
Together, we are making innovative, integrated healthcare more personal and more accessible. For more information, visit LaheyHealth.org and its member websites Lahey Hospital & Medical Center, Beverly Hospital, Winchester Hospital, and Lahey Health Behavioral Services.
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CONTACT:
Dan Marra
Lahey Health Media Relations
781-744-9796
Daniel.J.Marra@Lahey.org
