KIM COULTER, Ross Memorial Hospital (RMH)
KAWARTHA LAKES: The Ross Memorial Team is celebrating the arrival of the community’s new MRI. The five-tonne machine was delivered by truck and hoisted to the ground with a crane. A precision moving team was used to direct the MRI through the Kent Street entrance and down the main hall, where it was inserted through an open wall into the renovated MRI room.
The MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine features cutting-edge technology that provides the sharpest image resolution faster than ever before:
• Thanks to advances in imaging science, the MRI can adjust to each patient, which means they are in position sooner.
• New tiltable imaging coils are more comfortable for patients with mobility challenges without compromising the resolution quality, and the sharpest images will be available in record time.
• High-tech sensors in the table monitor the patient’s breathing and adjust for patients who have difficulty holding their breath for certain tests, such as liver and abdomen imaging.
• Faster imaging will reduce the time patients must remain still, which is more comfortable for those with pain, claustrophobia or limited mobility.
Sharper imaging and image reconstruction technology help physicians confidently diagnose disease and injury in the brain, spine, joints, breasts and organs. This includes herniated or bulging disks, arthritic changes, tumours and other lesions. It also enables precision biopsy procedures, including breast and future prostate exams.
“MRI provides critically important information necessary for the best, safest patient care. The more detailed the image, the better and faster our team can diagnose and treat our patients’ concerns,” said Dr. Bharat Chawla, Medical Chief of Staff. “The new MRI also connects to the Hospital’s clinical information system, which means every image is automatically attached to the patient’s digital medical record and available to all care providers, including specialists in other regions.
“With the support of our donors, Ross Memorial is building our healthcare infrastructure to keep pace and meet the needs of a rapidly growing population,” said Erin Coons, Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation CEO. “This transformation involves significant investments in technologically advanced medical equipment — including the MRI — not covered by government funding. Donors’ support for the WE ARE THE ROSS appeal plays an important part in these essential investments.”
The new MRI replaces the 12-year-old MRI funded 100% by the community through the Imagine the Future campaign. Approximately 70,000 patient exams were scanned on that MRI from 2011 to 2023. More than 500 patient exams are scanned at the Ross every month.