Coon Memorial Hospital was offering imaging services for its patients in the Dalhart, Texas area with a mobile MR unit that was on-site only one or two days a week. The rural care provider decided that upgrading to a fixed unit was in the best interests of their patients, as well as the facility's bottom line.

HealthCare Business News spoke to Thomas Berryman, lead MR tech at Coon Memorial Hospital, to find out how the upgrade went and what advice he would offer to other rural providers considering a similar investment.

HCB News: Before installing your new scanner you had been treating your patients with a mobile MR unit. Why did you decide it was time for a change?
Thomas Berryman: Our imaging capabilities were limited to a mobile MR unit that was only on-site one or two days per week. As a result, we were starting to lose physician referrals not only because of limited access to an MR unit, but also because of poor imaging quality. We needed a solution that could meet the needs of both patients and providers, while staying within our budget.

As a result of installing Canon Medical’s Vantage Titan 1.5T MR, we were able to deliver higher quality images and perform new types of exams such as renal scans, brain mapping and carotid artery imaging, among others. We saw a 20 percent increase in physician referrals per month and our overall MR exams increased by more than 200 percent per month.

HCB News: Can you describe the selection process that led you to choosing the Vantage Titan 1.5T MR from Canon Medical Systems?
TB: We needed to find a system that would improve the patient experience and enable us to expand the types of services that we needed to properly care for our community. We were impressed with Canon Medical’s ability to deliver a high level of imaging quality with large clinical field of view. Other features that attracted us to Canon Medical were the comfortable 71 cm bore, feet first exams, the Pianissimo noise reduction system and the ability to perform non-contrast imaging techniques that would ensure patient safety. In addition the Canon M-Power user interface simplifies exams and it has impressive post-processing tools.

We are now saving on average 15 to 20 minutes per exam. We were also impressed with Canon Medical’s ability to train our staff on the different ways to maximize the use of the system. In addition to providing hands-on instruction, the Vantage Titan 1.5T MR has easy-to-use features, such as the M-Power user interface, which can be customized for different users. Canon Medical offered to expedite the learning curve, which would enable our staff to dive in quickly and easily. Lastly we needed a solution where we wouldn’t have to make a big investment in building a traditional addition to the hospital. The Vantage Titan came housed within its own modular unit that could be attached to our facility quickly and easily.

HCB News: Did you already have space set aside for the new MR unit or was construction required?
TB: New construction was not required given that the Vantage Titan 1.5T MR came with its own modular building. We simply had to prepare a space for it and do some basic prep so it could be attached to our facility and tied into our existing infrastructure.

HCB News: How long did it the entire installation process take?
TB: The modular building that the Canon Medical system came in was attached to our existing structure in a matter of days.

HCB News: What was the learning curve like for using the new system?
TB: The training the Canon Medical Systems team provided was remarkable and touched on everything needed to dive in and use the new MR system right away. This training expedited the learning curve associated with introducing the new system and it’s easy-to-use features. Now, we’re leveraging the system to do more for the local community and improve our business.

HCB News: Serving a rural community in Texas, has the new MR scanner changed your relationship with referring facilities in the area?
TB: The new system has had a positive impact on the volume of referrals the hospital receives. In fact, there has been a 20% increase in physician referrals per month. Prior to having the latest technology from Canon Medical, it was a challenge to provide the level of care that patients require due to imaging quality and availability. Now, the MR scanner provides high-quality imaging services daily, including procedures that were not previously available, such as renal scans, non-contrast MRA, brain mapping and carotid artery imaging.

HCB News: How are patients reacting to the new scanner and has it changed your patient population?
TB: Positive feedback from patients has been overwhelming. The new imaging suite is designed to deliver a patient-friendly examination with noise-reduction technology and offers a more spacious environment compared to the previous mobile MRI unit. Some patients drive as far as 85 miles to get the care the hospital can now deliver. The hospital has had over a 200% increase in MRI exams per month as a direct result of the new MR scanner.

HCB News: What has been the biggest surprise regarding the new system?
TB: The biggest surprise was just how integral the services we can now offer our local community would become to our business. It is impossible to imagine our business today without the system. Our experience with Canon Medical was exceptional and the system has revolutionized the business in far more ways than expected.

HCB News: What advice would you give to other rural facilities that are considering upgrading from a mobile part-time MR to their own fixed unit?
TB: A five year investment, with a 20-30 year return, the results of the MR scanner install speak for themselves. Other rural facilities should cooperatively recognize what is needed to best serve their community and create a plan to bring that necessary investment to fruition. Although investing in diagnostic imaging equipment can be daunting, Coon Memorial Hospital now provides better care to the local population of approximately thirteen thousand, as well as those in surrounding areas, because it was willing to lean into the challenge. Canon Medical has been helpful from the very beginning of this process all the way to installation, training of hospital staff, and beyond.