A new, state-of-the-art MRI scanner is now operating at Halifax’s IWK Health Centre.
In 2018, the provincial government announced it was investing $6.9 million for the IWK to purchase a new MRI scanner and complete associated renovations.
“This new MRI suite will allow us to provide imaging that is a critical component of diagnosis and care planning for women, children and youth in the Maritimes, helping clinicians deliver the highest quality of care,” Krista Jangaard, president and CEO of the IWK Health Centre, said in a news release. “We thank the government of Nova Scotia for making this possible.”
The new MRI scanner — which is a diagnostic imaging tool that provides non-invasive, detailed images of internal organs and structures — replaces an ageing scanner and was expected to be ready in spring 2020. It was installed over the summer with a 4,536-kilogram magnet.
The renovations include a dedicated area for anesthesia which will improve patient experience and flow while reducing wait times.
“Children, youth and families from Nova Scotia and beyond receive excellent care at the IWK,” said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine in a news release. “The new MRI is an essential piece of equipment for women, children and youth in our region, and will help ensure they continue to get the best possible care.”
In 2013, Global News reported that the provincial government invested $1.1 million to upgrade the IWK’s MRI scanner that was purchased in June 2002. At the time, the MRI was handling around 600 exams a month and wasn’t upgraded for five years.
The news release says the MRI now handles around 5,500 scans a year for breast health, orthopedic, oncology, neurology and fetal care assessments. It’s the only MRI imaging system for pediatric patients requiring general anesthesia in the Maritimes.
