More MRI Machines = More Happy Patients

The University of Minnesota’s Clinics and Surgery center will be installing a new MRI as a response to the increasing wait times and high number of patients seeking imaging services.

According to The Minnesota Daily, the Center has experienced a 10 percent increase in MRI appointments each year. Patients typically wait between two to three weeks for their imaging appointments. To prevent long wait lists, the Center has had to extend their hours and book more procedures on Saturdays and Sundays. Around 20,000 MRI procedures are performed each year across the university’s health centers. They are purchasing a new MRI every few years to keep up with the demand.

“What we’re finding is patients actually don’t mind [getting an MRI done on] evenings and weekends. What they do mind is waiting two weeks,” said Charles Dietz, MD, chair of radiology at UM.

Many patients seek out MRI services for conditions such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease. University athletes are also booking MRI appointments.

The new MRI machine project is estimated to cost $2 million, and will begin in the summer with hopes that it will be up and running come December. Not only will the new MRI cut down on wait times significantly, but it will also bring patients peace of mind by scheduling their appointments earlier.

“One or two weeks probably doesn't make much of a difference for [cancer] patients,” said Dr. Dietz for the Minnesota Daily. “But I can tell you emotionally, to not know whether you have cancer … or what the kind of cancer is, if you can’t get a scan within a week, that’s a very scary proposition.”