MRI machine gets its new parts in March

Quinte Health Care (QHC) has the shortest wait times in the province for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRIs). Compared to the provincial average of 106 days between January and March 2016, patients who visited QHC Belleville General Hospital for an MRI experienced an average wait time of just 19 days.

Quinte Health Care is making arrangements for the public’s needs as its MRI machine in Belleville will undergo its reconstructive surgery in March.

The diagnostic tool will be out of service March 10 – April 22 as it receives all new working parts, (excluding the magnet).

During the downtime, physicians will send patients for other types of imaging (CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound) and arrangements have been made with partner hospitals in the region for patients requiring MRI during the downtime.
Non-urgent imaging will be booked for after April 22.

The upgrade is expected to further improve image quality that physicians rely on to diagnose abnormalities. The new equipment is also expected to bring faster scanning times from a quieter machine. Additionally, the patient table will be moveable with better ergonomics – improving safety for patients and staff members when imaging patients with mobility issues.

The upgrade has been made possible due to fundraising efforts of the foundations supporting QHC hospitals: Belleville General Hospital Foundation, Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation, Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation and North Hastings Fund Development Committee.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have such strong support from our hospital foundations,” said Mark Coulter, Director of Diagnostic Imaging. “Without their fundraising efforts in the various communities that benefit from Quinte Health Care’s MRI, we wouldn’t be able to move forward with this vital upgrade. In the end, we’ll have a faster, quieter, more ergonomic machine that improves quality of care for patients and working environment for staff.”