HERRIN - Quicker diagnoses for patients leading to improved care at Herrin Hospital are now possible with the implementation of a new MRI machine and fluoroscopic unit.

The Toshiba MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine comes to the hospital at a cost of $1.2 million. But officials say the financial investment will pay great dividends for patients.

Mike Flinn, director of imaging at Herrin, said the new unit will produce sharper images. More important, he said, is the patient undergoing the exam will no longer be subjected to the loud, unsettling noises associated with an MRI exam. Sounds emitted from the new device will be minimal.

"It will be much more quiet because the magnet is housed within a vacuum tube and sound does not travel in the vacuum," Flinn said. "We have a stereo system with ear phones that is safe to use inside the machine and should provide some entertainment for the patient."

Flinn said the $600,000 fluoroscopy unit will be used primarily for a soon-to-be opened bariatric unit at Herrin.

"It's not as confining, which is a big advantage for our patients," he said. "It's also completely digital, providing us with a much clearer and distinct image of the problem area. I don't know of any other hospital around that has a design like this unit. It's a win situation for both the patient and Herrin Hospital."

Bryan Campbell, manager of imaging services at the hospital, said both units will aid in patient comfort and reduce examination time. The other MRI device had been housed in a trailer outside the hospital.

"This is the quietest MRI on the market and the image quality is superior to anything we've ever had. We're talking state-of-the-art technology here," Campbell said.

Herrin Hospital will be the first hospital in the region to house a bariatric unit.

"I think it's great that our hospital has been proactive with technology," Campbell said. "We've already begun using our fluoroscopy unit and will have our new MRI unit up and running by Dec. 15."

MRI technician Julie Hubbard said patient comfort is a key.

"Having more room and less noise will definitely help the patient relax more," she said. "The feelings won't be as intense as they would be in closer quarters."

Hubbard added that patients are scanned by MRI machines at Herrin about once every 45 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and for several hours on both Saturday and Sunday.

john.homan@thesouthern.com

351-5805