Optimum Patient Care 307kB - Siemens Healthcare

Magnetic Resonance ImagingMAGNETOM Aera. Then again, I alsothink there is a clear connection to thefact that we have a very strong teamhere. Ms. Willeke, who helped to developMRI in our clinical routine from the start,is here as a great example. On the whole,we have very strong expertise in thefield of MRI. I myself have worked a greatdeal on preclinical research projects inthis area.What benefits does the new MRIsystem offer, with its features Tim® 4G,the fourth generation of Total imagingmatrix, and Dot, the Day optimizingthroughput engine?BREMER: Multi-channel technology letsus scan larger regions of the body flexibly.For another thing, we can perform scansmuch faster with the new system, which“ At our facility, the length of stayis five and a half days, well belowaverage. That’s why we need diagnosticsto run quickly.”Burkhard Nolte, CEO, St. Franziskus Hospital, Münster, Germanyhas raised throughput significantly. Atour facility, it is important to ensure thatwe can work almost on demand. Wehave reached the point where we cangenerally complete a requisition withintwo days, which I have never seen donebefore. Having such a fast unit helps alot to accomplish this.NOLTE: At our facility, the length of stayis five and a half days, well below average.That’s why we need diagnostics torun quickly.In light of your experiences, what kindsof opportunities does MAGNETOMAera offer?WILLEKE: Handling is excellent. I have alsoworked with systems from other manu-facturers in the past, and with the newMAGNETOM Aera system, we have manyoptions now. You were just talking aboutDot, which helps make scans even faster.That also applies to staff members whodo not yet have a lot of experience withMRI. It is faster for them to learn, whichalso means they can perform scans ontheir own earlier.BREMER: Tim 4G improves image quality,speed, and flexibility. With it, we haveexcellent image quality at high acquisitionspeeds. Dot accelerates the workflow,but also ensures a basic level of qualityin terms of diagnostics, reducing variationbetween operators. That means thatemployees who only have a couple ofmonths of MRI experience can alreadyperform a wide range of MRI exams,something that would have been inconceivablebefore. The Dot technology isvery helpful in that regard.WILLEKE: Patients who come repeatedlywith an indication are examined in exactlythe same way, which also makes theimages more comparable.What are the direct benefits forpatients?WILLEKE: One very important benefit isthe unit’s wide opening, a 70 centimeteropen bore design. Even obese 1 patientscan easily fit into the unit now. Also whenit comes to claustrophobia amongpatients, we are able to calm them sooner.The fact that the magnet is shorter meansthat the patient’s head is back outside thetunnel much sooner. And, examinationSummaryChallenge:• Staying competitive• Cost-effective technologies• Shorter MRI scan times, even forcomplex exams• Consistent, excellent image qualityin all situations• Workflow improvements• Reducing fear and addressing individualpatient requirements• Reducing complexity and stress ofan MRI examination• Increasing patient comfort in MRIscanning• Potential for more diagnostics andtreatments for more patients• Openness to future developmentsSolution:• Groundbreaking MAGNETOM Aeraand MAGNETOM Skyra scanners withpatient-friendly design• Flexible multi-channel technology forlarge regions of the body• Tim 4G (fourth-generation Totalimaging matrix) and Dot (Day optimizingthroughput)• Large bore opening, short magnet,soothing illuminationResult:• Reproducible and consistent imagequality• Significantly shorter scan times• Flexible and variable strategy selectionsand Tim 4G coil technology• Accelerated workflow and reducedoperator variation• Higher patient throughput, morerequisitions from internal and externalreferrers• Increased accessibility for obese orfearful patients and other patientswhose access to MRIs was previouslylimited• MRI systems that help combat challengesfor institutions of various sizesand organizational structures1Tim Dockable Table holds up to 250 kilograms/550 pounds.Medical Solutions · September 2011 · www.siemens.com/healthcare-magazine 81