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Get A More Comfortable & Relaxing MRI @ SRC?
Most people have never experienced an MRI exam or did so more than 5 years ago. Early MRI scanners were designed with a "tunnel" architecture that was long and deep leading some patients to feel claustrophobic.
At SRC we understand the anxiety and fear some people feel and have designed our daylight scanning suite and our services to make your next MRI comfortable and relaxing.
Here's what some of our patients had to say:
"I had never had an MRI before and I was worried about feeling claustrophobic. I closed my eyes during the scan and it was so relaxing that I actually fell asleep."
-R. Alan
"I've had MRI's before but the SRC experience was by far the best. I will definitely be back."
-C. Carter
"I was in so much pain with my back that I couldn't get up after the scan. The staff at SRC was so caring and gentle. They took their time with me and I never felt rushed. The radiologist read my exam while I waited and called my doctor immediately with the results so I could get treatment and relief for my pain."
-D. Smith
Click here if you would like to share your SRC experience
What If I Have Anxiety About Getting An MRI Scan?
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SRC's short bore technology with flared openings provides patients with a "look out angle" to see the outside environment |
Older MRI technology with a longer "tunnel" |
To ensure a comfortable experience for our patients, SRC uses a specially designed MRI scanner which is shorter than standard scanners and features a flared front and back opening to provide patients with a "look out angle" to see the outside environment. Many patients who worry about being claustrophobic do not experience any difficulties completing their scan in SRC's short bore scanner with flared openings.
What if I am still feeling anxious about my MRI scan?
At SRC we want you to be comfortable and relaxed for your MRI scan. If you are nervous about your exam or have concerns about being claustrophobic it is very common for our patients to ask their doctor to prescribe an oral anxiolitic such as Valium that can be taken approximately one (1) hour prior to your appointment. It is important that patients taking prescription medication for this purpose arrange to have a driver escort them to and from their exam.
Bring in your favorite CD to listen during your MRI scan
We encourage our patients to bring a copy of their favorite CD to the exam. Many patients find it enjoyable and relaxing to listen to music during their scan.
Bring a friend or family member
Because the MRI scanner uses magnetics rather than radiation it is generally safe to bring a family member or friend with you into the scanning suite.
Architecturally designed daylight scanning suite
Some MRI scanners are confined to a basement or similar location deep within the building. At SRC, we have architecturally designed our daylight scanning suite with special MRI compatible windows to let in the feeling of the outdoors.
Why Doesn't SRC Have An Open MRI Scanner?
The purpose of an MRI scan is to obtain crisp, clear pictures of the inner workings of your body in order to produce information for you and your doctor that will help put you on a path to better health. The magnetic strength of an MRI scanner is measured in a unit of measurement called "tesla". In general, the stronger the magnetic field of an MRI scanner the higher the quality of images that it can produce. SRC does not have an open scanner because we are not satisfied with the quality of images today's open scanners are able to produce. Most open scanners have a field strength of .3 tesla compared to SRC's MRI scanner which has a field strength five (5) times stronger at 1.5 tesla. Several facilities advertise the benefits of open scanners but it is not uncommon for patients to still feel claustrophobic in an open scanner, require prescription medication to overcome feelings of claustrophobia or have a scan repeated on a higher field strength magnet at a later date in order to get an accurate diagnosis. At SRC our goal is to treat each and every patient like a member of the family. Simply put, SRC does not have an open MRI scanner because we would not recommend that a member of our own family obtain an open scan.
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Salem Radiology Consultants, P.C.