鈥淚f I need an MRI again, I want it to be there.鈥�

Jessie Pears offers high praise for the new MRI Suite at 91原创 Memorial Hospital.

Pears, 95 years young, had been waiting for months for an MRI at another facility, before receiving the call to say she could now have it done right here at 91原创 Memorial.

鈥淚 was so pleased when they phoned and said I could get in right away 鈥� it鈥檚 nice to be closer to home, especially because I don鈥檛 drive anymore,鈥� she says.

The new MRI suite ramped up to full operations on Jan. 4, providing patients with care and diagnosis in one location. Jointly funded by the Ministry of Health, Fraser Health and 鈥� including $4 million raised by local residents through the Foundation鈥檚 Emergency Response campaign 鈥� can perform up to 7,500 MRI exams annually, operating 16 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Emergency Response campaign鈥檚 second phase, a new and expanded emergency department, opens later this year.

鈥淧atients really appreciate not having to travel to Abbotsford or Surrey or even further away to get an MRI done,鈥� says Tammy Karoway, 91原创 Memorial鈥檚 site coordinator for medical imaging.

They also appreciate the patient-centred approach the hospital has taken with the MRI suite 鈥� an addition more than 2 1/2 years in the making.

Recognizing that the MRI can be intimidating for some people, the suite is designed with a calm beach-like atmosphere to help put patients at ease.

鈥淲e often ask patients, 鈥榃here do you go in your mind when you want to escape?鈥� and a lot of people say 鈥榯he beach,鈥� so that鈥檚 represented with a ceiling of blue sky and palm trees, and one wall covered with an image of the ocean,鈥� Karoway says.

MRI exams can detect musculoskeletal issues, characterize and detect diseases and tumours, and diagnose abnormalities of the brain, cysts and soft-tissue injuries in other parts of the body. They also help provide early diagnosis and treatment, improving patients鈥� quality of life.

The new machine will also be able to perform specialized exams such as breast and prostate imaging, which will be used in the future with other types of specialty exams that are much more detailed and involved than usual MRI exams.

Karoway, who has more than 33 years鈥� experience in health care, says it was extremely satisfying to see the new suite open and fully functioning.

鈥淪eeing the impact on wait lists and knowing that it means less patient transfers, especially with COVID-19, really helps,鈥� says Karoway, who notes that adding the vital diagnostic tool to the hospital is also helpful in retaining and recruiting staff.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited to see what the next phase will bring,鈥� Karoway says.

As the community welcomes the new MRI Suite and soon-to-open Emergency Department, there鈥檚 much to be proud of, but also to help 91原创 Memorial Hospital reach the modern standard these two facilities set, notes Terra Scheer, Communications and Stewardship with 91原创 Memorial Hospital Foundation.

鈥淲e need your continued support, to help provide important equipment and renovations that improve care for everyone who comes to the hospital for care.鈥�

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