AdventHealth Littleton Ready to Serve More Patients with 3T MRI
By Robin Clutters
AdventHealth Littleton is now able to serve even more patients across the entire Rocky Mountain Region thanks to the addition of a 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI) machine. The 3T MRI has a stronger magnet and can get better details of smaller areas versus the hospital’s other 1.5T MRI.
Littleton is AdventHealth’s only hospital in the Rocky Mountain Region to offer this new technology. The new machine will also be able to perform functional MRIs, which will support the continued growth of Littleton’s Epilepsy Center. Functional MRIs are a noninvasive way to measure and map brain activity.
“I’m excited, because we have needed a second MRI due to our patient workload for a really long time. We are usually booked out two to three weeks in advance. This will allow us to serve more patients, and serve them even better,” said Medical Imaging Manager Laura McLean.
Getting the 3T MRI in service has been a true team effort. It started with just getting the machine in the building. On October 23 a crane lowered the 3T MRI to a door right outside the hospital, then at least five people had to push it down the hall — with only a few inches of room to spare on each side. From there, the next step was training.
“The technologists, radiologists, physicians, and more were all part of the training. They sat down in the control room together to set protocols to make sure we are using the 3T MRI in the best way possible,” said Jacie Schoenfeld, director of Outpatient Services.
Two million dollars of the $4.5 million dollar project was funded by a philanthropic gift from the late Marjie and Roger Lee. Marjie loved having a true community hospital in her backyard. AdventHealth Littleton was the only place she ever received care, and when it was time to make estate plans, she and Roger knew they wanted to help the hospital better serve the community.
Lead MRI technologist Mia Deitch says the 3T MRI is already making a difference, not only in Littleton, but throughout the Rocky Mountain Region.
“Patients no longer have to go elsewhere. We’re excited to collaborate with our referring physicians and provide more opportunities for them. It’s wonderful that we can increase the services we provide,” Mia said.
