News

Southlake Finds Innovative Solution to High Demand for MRI Services

Portable unit helps reduce wait list for diagnostic exam

 Newmarket, Ontario — August 8, 2011:  Southlake Regional Health Centre has found an innovative solution to tackling the high and growing demand for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) services in nearby communities. Recently, the Hospital added a temporary portable MRI unit to its array of diagnostic equipment until a new, state-of-the-art MRI suite is completed sometime in 2012.

“I wish to acknowledge the efforts of the MRI team in finding an innovative solution to immediately addressing wait times for MRI exams at Southlake,” said Dr. Dave Williams, President and CEO. “We’re very pleased to be able to offer our patients with this temporary solution, as it can mean a substantially shorter wait time for their diagnostic exams.”

Newmarket resident Frank Oppedisano – a hair stylist at a local salon – was among the first of many patients who will benefit from the portable unit. Oppedisano was scheduled to have an MRI on his shoulder in late September, but thanks to the new machine, was called up for an appointment at the end of July.   

“I’m thrilled about the new MRI at Southlake,” said Oppedisano. “As a stylist, having a shoulder injury is uncomfortable and restricting, so I was pleasantly surprised to be seen nearly two months before my initial appointment. I’m grateful that other people, who may be far worse off than I, will also be able to benefit from the unit. ”

For Jennifer Verkaik, Medical Radiation Technologist, a portable MRI unit is nothing new. Verkaik was a volunteer for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, and spent more than 80 hours in a unit scanning world-class athletes for their various injuries.

“Providing healthcare for athletes at the Olympics was both a privilege and an absolute honour,” said Verkaik. “Southlake’s community can feel very confident in knowing that the technology that was available to care for the world’s best in sport is now available here at home in Newmarket.”    

Long-term, a portable unit does not replace a permanent MRI suite, but the unit will meet patients’ imaging needs while the Hospital renovates for the new MRI machine. Once renovations are complete, the permanent suite will be located in the Main Diagnostic Imaging Department at Southlake, and will feature the Siemens Skyra 3.0 Telsa MRI machine – which is expected to provide an additional 5,000 exams per year.

While funding to operate the MRI will be provided by the Government of Ontario, the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation will be working closely with the Southlake community to raise the necessary funds for the renovations and the purchase of the MRI machine as part of a $9 million, three-year fundraising plan to upgrade Southlake’s Diagnostic Imaging Department.

Southlake MRI Quick Facts

• The current MRI at Southlake – a 1.5 Tesla machine – was installed in 2005.
• In fiscal 2010-11, Southlake completed more than 10,000 MRI exams. 
• Southlake operates one of the most efficient single MRI departments in the province, averaging 1.9 exams per hour.
• Southlake was the second hospital to participate in the provincial MRI Improvement Initiative, and has been instrumental in helping develop leading practices in MRI.
• Southlake has a team of highly skilled Radiologists, Nurses and Medical Radiation Technologists with specialized training in MRI.

For more information, please contact:
Kate Blackwell
Corporate Communications
Tel: 905-895-4521, ext. 2169
Cell: 289-221-9190
Email: kblackwell@southlakeregional.org

Handout photos available

Back to NEWS page