Hurley's new state-of-the-art MRI: the only hospital-based MRI in the area

Hurley’s new GE 450W magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) unit is faster than traditional MRI imaging. It is also the only hospital-based MRI in the Flint community that provides fast, safe, and the most accurate imaging to help our Hurley physicians provide the highest quality patient care. This new MRI machine is also especially helpful for larger patients or ones who do not like enclosed spaces.

Special features of Hurley's new MRI technology:

1. Large MRI tunnel: Also called the bore, the imaging opening is 20 cm larger than other hospital-based MRI units in the region. This means that all of our patients of all sizes, babies to the elderly, can comfortably receive imaging, even large patients.
    
2. Quieter than other models: As well as being more comfortable for the patient, our quieter machine helps the Hurley technologist to obtain an accurate scan on the first attempt.
    
3. Superior images with advanced application capabilities: The new machine allows for enhanced vascular imaging, such as imaging of the brain, abdomen, breast, spine and kidneys.
    
4. Removable “Express” table: Patients with limited mobility (disabled or even unconscious) can be safely and efficiently moved in and out of the imaging tunnel so that other patients are not kept waiting.
    
5. Located within Hurley Medical Center: This new MRI Suite has its own waiting room with a location that is ideal for outpatients, inpatients, and urgent emergency department patients.
    
6. Sedation: Both Pediatric and Adult sedation are available with a physician order.  Sedation performed within a hospital setting is much safer than within an offsite clinic.

What is an MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic scanning technique that produces detailed images of organs and structures in the body. The MRI scanner is a large, cylindrical machine that creates a strong magnetic field, and uses radio waves to create the images. An outpatient procedure, an MRI checks for damage or abnormalities in soft tissues, the brain and the spinal chord. MRI is used to diagnose tumors, view tissue damage and examine blood flow.

With the MRI’s magnetic field, pulses of radio waves are sent from the scanner. Signals from your body’s hydrogen protons are received by the computer, which then analyzes and converts them into an image of the area of the body being examined. The image appears on a viewing monitor.

An MRI assists your doctor in making a diagnosis. Your Hurley radiologist will interpret the results from your MRI and send a report to your doctor, who will then discuss the results with you.

If you know you have any allergy, are taking prescription medications, think you may be pregnant, or are breast-feeding your child, tell the technologist prior to the procedure.

During the MRI procedure

An MRI usually takes 30-60 minutes. Some MRI exams require an injection of contrast material. All jewelry and metal objects must be removed because of the magnet. MRI scanning cannot be used on individuals with traditional pacemakers, defibrillators, brain aneurysm clips or other implanted devices. Hurley Medical Center has pioneered the use of MRI-safe pacemakers; however, since the vast majority of pacemakers use traditional designs, be sure to speak with your cardiologist and radiologist before the MRI procedure to ensure that your pacemaker is one of these advanced models.)

During the MRI, you will lie on a table that slides into a tunnel or tube-shaped machine. The technologist will position the table in the tunnel so the area of your body to be examined can be imaged. During the scanning progress, you will hear a very loud knocking sound as the magnetic field is created and pulses of radio waves are sent from the scanner. Earplugs are given to help block the noise.

For physicians: Boarding an MRI patient

For information on boarding an MRI patient, please call (810) 262-9674.