For many people needing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), thoughts of tight spaces, anxious feelings, and long waits often come to mind. Now that Baptist Imaging Center has opened its doors to the community, however, those thoughts may become obsolete.

According to Betty Brown, supervisor of the new imaging center, patients and physicians in the region now have access to the latest generation in open MRI systems: the Panorama 1.0T. “Not only does this MRI system offer physicians high-field image quality for advanced applications, it also features a completely open design that makes getting an MRI scan a more positive imaging experience,” says Brown.

Dr. Eric Shields, radiologist at Western Baptist Hospital, says that in his experience, many patients, due to their size or feelings of claustrophobia, prefer open MRI systems. “This new technology features the widest patient gap of any high-field MRI system,” says Dr. Shields. “And physicians will appreciate the high-resolution images that enable them to make better diagnoses.”

According to Dr. Shields, the new open MRI system offers an unprecedented combination of clinical excellence and patient acceptance. “Getting this power in an open design gives us a lot of flexibility. We’re able to see more patients, give them a comfortable experience, and get the most effective results from our work. This system is a tremendous diagnostic benefit to the community,” comments Dr. Shields.