A new magnetic resonance imaging machine, or MRI, is coming to Washington County Hospital and Clinics. The project received a Washington County Riverboat Foundation grant Wednesday in the amount of $147,209. At the grant presentation, WCRF President Tom Basten spoke of the benefits of the new machine, “With the new MRI, the radiology technicians will be able to perform more tests per day, … allowing providers to assess and diagnose patients more quickly and accurately. MRI machines are notorious for triggering claustrophobia, so to address this issue, this MRI will have a larger bore and shorter tunnel, this allows patients to feel more comfortable for the duration of their testing.”

The current MRI was new in 2003 and refurbished in 2011. The machines have a lifespan of about 15 years. Installation is slated to begin in April with completion in June. During that time WCHC will still have uninterrupted MRI services on site. The outer wall of the space will be removed so that the old machine can be taken out and the new one can be installed.

The total project cost $297,209 and is funding with $100,000 from the hospital foundation and the remaining $50,000 will come from the hospital’s budget.