A donation by the North Bay Lions Club will ensure our community has access to advanced medical care.
Today they presented a donation of $10,000 toward the MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) Upgrade Project at NBRHC.
MRI is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in the body.
"Ten years ago, our community rallied together to transform healthcare for our region and purchased our community’s first MRI machine," says a news release. "Each year, NBRHC provides thousands of patients with MRI scans. Last year, 8,187 MRI scans were performed."
"We chose a project that will have a huge impact on our community," says North Bay Lions Club President Wendy Porter. We have been supporting our hospital for decades and our connection to the diagnostic imaging needs of our community began nearly 30 years ago when we helped establish the Terry McKerrow fund for our community’s first CT scanner.”
Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets.
“We are able to keep the original doughnut shaped magnet from our current MRI for substantial savings," explained NBRHC President Paul Heinrich. "The overhaul will cost an estimated total of $1.67 million, and includes the refurbishment, installation, and add-ons. A full replacement would cost $3.5 to $5 million.”
“Some of the special features of our MRI means we often receive patient referrals from beyond our catchment area," said Dr. Jeff Hodge, Chief, Diagnostic Imaging. "The MRI has an extra-wide bore and table that can support patients up to 550lbs. This upgrade means we will essentially have a new MRI serving our community with advanced technology and it will be faster, quieter and provide significant upgrades to image quality,”
This upgrade project is now underway and it's expected the MRI to be back in operation by the end of November.
"Our team at Diagnostic Imaging will be working longer hours to help ensure that any unnecessary delays for patients who need scans are addressed as quickly as possible," added Steve Touliopoulos, Manager, Diagnostic Imaging. "Currently, any patients needing urgent MRI scans are being referred to other centres in the north,”
"In the 22-year history of the NBRHC Foundation, the North Bay Lions have donated more than $271,000 toward the healthcare needs of our community," explained Tammy Morison, President of the NBRHC Foundation.
