Within many healthcare systems, imaging tests like x-ray, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging, also known as MRI, can help providers to diagnose a range of medical conditions and put patients on a path toward healing. And at Mason Health, the MRI has become a vital diagnostic tool for patients from across Mason County and beyond. Shane Faford, director of diagnostic imaging at Mason health says the current High Field Open MRI is approaching the final stages of its lifespan, and Mason Health is taking proactive steps to install a new replacement Open MRI unit without interruption to patient care.
Construction is now in motion at Mason General Hospital for an enhanced Open MRI experience and during this process, the Mason County community is invited to get involved and support the installation of the new MRI through fundraising events offered by Mason General Hospital Foundation.
The High Field Open MRI Machine at Mason Health Is a High Demand and Important Tool for Patient Care in Mason County
At Mason Health, the MRI is used alongside other imaging tests like CT scans and X-rays to look for signs of injury or disease. Faford says MRI scans can be especially useful to look at the brain and muscle, and potential reasons for getting an MRI include patients who experienced a trauma-related injury, patients who show signs of stroke, patients experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and patients of Mason Clinic Orthopedics.
“The big reason to get an MRI is because you need to see something a little better based off other imaging you might have already had,” explains Faford.
According to Faford, the High Field Open MRI that is now in use at Mason Health is no longer being produced by the manufacturer, and replacement pieces and restorations for this model will become unavailable in late 2025, which will render the machine non-operational. Mason Health’s High Field Open MRI is relatively unique to the region, featuring an open design that has become a valuable resource, especially in a rural healthcare setting.
“We have a lot of our clientele come in because it’s an open MRI,” says Faford. “So, that really kind of guided us when we went to get the new one.”
During the search for the new MRI, Faford says maintaining that open design was an important consideration, as well as finding a model that could expand patient care through screening for a wider range of health concerns, including breast and prostate-related conditions.
“This new one is exactly the same style,” says Faford. “They call it a ‘pancake open.’ So it’s open all around the sides, made by Fuji. It’s state of the art, though, so it’s definitely capable of doing more things, faster scan times. It’s just better in every way, but the same type of magnet.”
The new High Field Open MRI will be a popular Fujifilm model that is used in healthcare facilities across the country, which means this MRI will be able to serve Mason Health patients for many years to come.
The replacement of the current open MRI has become a substantial construction project, and work is being done to create a place for the new machine, while also taking the opportunity to update other hospital facilities at the same time. To ensure no gaps in patient care, and to avoid use of temporary imaging facilities outside the hospital, the current MRI will be used until the new MRI is installed and ready for operation in the second half of 2025. Faford says that MRIs take up a large amount of space, so Mason Health is also looking forward to streamline any potential machine replacements that may be required in the following decades.
Mason General Hospital Foundation Fundraisers Support Patient Care
Replacing the MRI has become a pressing need at Mason Health and is a considerable expense for the hospital district. To help ease that financial burden, the Mason General Hospital Foundation has designated the new MRI as a key “fund-an-item” for fundraising events in 2024. Jennifer Capps, chief development and communications officer for Mason Health says the open design MRI is one example of the hospital district’s commitment to providing cutting-edge patient care to Mason County residents, and this level of care can be continued with the support of the Mason General Hospital Foundation and the local community.
“We have been serving our community and our patients for 56 years now,” says Capps. “And we look forward to having the participate in efforts that retain and bring quality care to our local community; people that live five minutes from us don’t have to drive to faraway places to receive top quality care and receive the benefit of the most advanced technologies and healthcare equipment.”
And starting in July, a series of Mason General Hospital Foundation events will gather the community, while also raising funds toward this common goal. The MGHF Quality Care Open Golf Tournament teed off at LakeLand Village Golf Course in Allyn, WA and raised over $50,000 in corporate sponsorships. On August 3, 2024, community members can join the summertime festivities at Shelton’s Kneeland Park during the Barrels & Brews Fundraiser, complete with live music, food trucks, and a selection of beer, wine and cider for sale. On September 27, the annual Business Lunch & Confections Auction will return at the Little Creek Casino Resort.
“There’s plenty of opportunities for community members to engage with us, have a little bit of fun, and raise some significant dollars for a worthy cause for Mason Health,” says Capps. “To keep this high-tech equipment here in our local community, and to serve not only people in our immediate area, but those that come from far distances that need care that we can provide.”
To learn more about MRI imaging services at Mason Health, or about Mason General Hospital Foundation events, visit the Mason Health website.
Sponsored
