January 15, 1999

The first of two new mobile MRI scanners, accessible from the first floor of the Founders Building, began serving patients this week. The mobile scanners will be used for approximately one year while the Radiology Department builds its new MRI suite on Ellison 2. The second scanner is scheduled to arrive in March.

According to Patrick Jordan, administrative director of Radiology, the interim mobile scanners will increase the hospital's MRI capacity during construction on the new suite. The interim scanners will serve an additional 9,000 patients, reduce the inpatient and outpatient backlog for MRI services and generate net revenue for the MGH.

The new MRI suite will house two permanent MRI scanners in addition to the one currently in use. Construction on the suite is expected to begin at the end of January.

The mobile scanner on Founders is a new state-of-the-art, high-speed imaging machine, similar to one of the scanners to be installed permanently in the new MRI suite.

To schedule a patient for an MRI, call 4-XRAY (4-9729).