The upgrade of the MRI unit at the Greenville hospital occurred in July 2000. The new scanner was fully operational during the second week of August and the MRI unit at the Farrell hospital serving the Shenango Valley became operational on Jan. 15.

The new MRIs represent the best combination of magnet strength and design, gradient strength (MRI horsepower), imaging coils, and computer software. Prior to the installation at the Farrell hospital, Horizon was leasing a mobile MRI unit.

"Our new fixed site MRIs bring greater availability and accessibility to our patients and physicians," said J. Larry Heinike, chief executive officer of UPMC Horizon. "In addition, our investment in the fixed site MRIs will significantly improve the quality of the MRI images the physicians are able to receive."

Physicians commonly use MRIs for central nervous system scans of the brain and spine and orthopedic scans of bones and joints.

"UPMC Horizon reached a point in growth where the cost of adding additional days to the mobile unit’s schedule either equated or exceeded the cost of installing a fixed site MRI unit," said James Wilkosz, magnetic resonance imaging specialist at UPMC Horizon.

In addition, the patients are more comfortable in the new units, which feature a body coil that is larger around the patient’s body. This helps reduce claustrophobia, improve patient access, and be more accommodating for larger patients.

According to Wilkosz, UPMC Horizon is anticipating nearly 3,000 MRI scans at the Greenville hospital and 1,700 at the Farrell hospital in 2001.