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An MRI has an important place in any hospital. It doesn’t use ionizing radiation like CT scans and so there’s much less chance of complications for patients. The MRI provides especially good imagining of different tissues and proves useful in brain scans, cardiovascular scans, and oncology. MRI machines are incredibly expensive. Traditionally insurance and federal funding have supported MRIs, but the Federal Deficiet Reduction Act has reduced payments for an MRI. This economic reality colors any institutions consideration in regards to an MRI. However, there are several different advances and avenues to consider in regards to MRIs.
The first question concerns the resolution of the MRI. Currently, there are both 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla MRIs. The 3.0 Tesla MRIs have a much higher imaging resolution. This allows them to pick up a wider range of phenomena when scanning the patient which will aid in diagnosis. However, they’re much more expensive and they’re currently all close bore which can cause discomfort especially to patients with claustrophobia or anxiety.
One can find a wide range of different models and advances when considering a 1.5 Tesla model. Some of the newest models can maintain the magnetic field even with an open side. This allows patients to have an open experience will still maintaining the imagining level. This level of comfort for patients might be worth the trade off in resolution especially if one can refer them to a nearby hospital with a more powerful MRI.
One should consider cost as well as comfort. A higher resolution MRI may garner referrals for difficult cases from other local hospitals and clinics even if they have their own. However, it might make sense to go with a cheaper and more comfortable MRI if the area is already saturated by a high level of high imagining MRIs. One should always factor in cost to the purchase of large equipment or it can quickly become a drain on the hospital or clinics finances and reduce resources for patient care.
