New MRI Suite officially welcomes its first patient
Shaare Zedek officially commemorated the opening of the new MRI Suite on the 1st January, with its first patient undergoing a trial scan. The Suite contains two MRI scanners, which will allow Shaare Zedek to be involved with both clinical and research applications.
MRI technology is viewed as an all-important diagnostic service in treating a wide variety of diseases and injuries. Relying on the use of extremely high-powered magnets to create images within the human body, a MRI is able to provide physicians with a highly accurate picture of the body without subjecting the patient to high degrees of radiation, which is associated with other imaging technologies like x-ray and CT. Due to the high strength emitted by the magnets, the scanners are placed in specially constructed cages that ensure the magnetic force, which could be extremely dangerous, is contained within the scanner room. Upon entry into the cage, patients are required to remove any possible metal items. The MRI area is outfitted with a special security system utilising fingerprint recognition to ensure that no unauthorized personnel are able to access the area.
Performing MRI scans and reading the images returned requires a high-level of familiarity with the technology, Shaare Zedek has therefore expanded the staff of its Department of Medical Imaging to include some of Israel’s leading experts in the field. This will allow the activities of the MRI Unit to begin immediately with the assurance of a highly experienced staff already in place. In addition, Shaare Zedek doctors are heavily involved with ongoing training to familiarise themselves with the machines and appreciate the various applications for patient care.
Shaare Zedek’s Director General Professor Jonathan Halevy attended the official opening of the Suite and believed it represented a historic development for the hospital. “In adding MRI to our always increasing array of medical services, we are even further positioning ourselves to offer our patients the most comprehensive possible care,” he said. “MRI is a technology that will significantly enhance our abilities in the area of diagnoses and overall care so we take great pride in the fact that Shaare Zedek has joined those leading Israeli medical centres offering this service.”
