Patients now able to customize their MRI experience

January 8 — PROVO — Patients who receive an MRI at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center can expect a more comfortable and serene experience thanks to an upgraded MRI suite.

The hospital’s new 1.5 Tesla MRI has a wide bore design, providing additional space for patients who are claustrophobic or require a higher weight capacity. The MRI room has also been upgraded to be more inviting and allow patients some control over their experience.

The wide bore scanner — the first of its kind in Utah County — provides high image clarity, but the wider opening and shortened length mean a more comfortable scan for larger or claustrophobic patients. For example, the machine can scan patients weighing up to 500 pounds, instead of the former weight limit of 350 pounds. Other features include noise-cancelling technology and high-quality images generated at a faster speed with much finer detail.

The room where the MRI sits has also been remodeled with the patient in mind. “The MRI Caring Suite was designed to be more inviting to patients,” said Chad Jasperson, manager of Imaging Services. “The room can be customized for each patient, creating an experience that is warm and relaxing for them.”

The suite has less of a clinical feel with its warm color tones and wood floors and paneling. Light panels on the wall can be changed to several color schemes chosen by the patient. A flat-screen TV on the ceiling directly above the MRI shows select nature scenes or can play a movie. Equipment and supplies are all stored in cabinets and cupboards, creating a clean and relaxing environment.

“It’s great to have this new equipment and space available to our patients who may struggle with small spaces,” Jasperson said. “We’re already seeing the difference this new MRI scanner and Caring Suite makes for our patients.”