UK imaging charity Cobalt Health has implemented the Innovision in-bore infotainment solution from Siemens Healthineers to deliver a video and sound experience as patients lie on the MRI table.
This addition comes as the medical charity upgrades its imaging facilities to include the Magnetom Sola 1.5T MRI system. The combination of in-bore infotainment technology and the wide bore of the Magnetom Sola is part of a project to enhance the charity’s claustrophobia management service and improve patient experience. Since the implementation of Innovision, every patient has been able to have their scan successfully.
Cobalt receives claustrophobic patient referrals from across the UK for this service, which has been operational for over 15 years. Equipment such as the Magnetom Sola is central to alleviating patient anxiety because wide bore systems, comfortable scanning beds and adjustable lighting help to improve the patient experience.
A memory-foam pillow offers improved patient comfort while reducing scan noise and delivering clear audio from the video or music and the MRI radiographer. The in-bore video display is designed to make the screen appear virtually larger, keeping patients updated on the progress of their scan while playing videos or music.
Located at the Cobalt Health clinic in Cheltenham, the new system is also helping to streamline workflows. With the distraction of the infotainment system, many patients that previously opted for feet-first scanning are able to complete examinations in the head-first orientation, reducing the need for moving and handling between appointments.
“The Magnetom Sola MRI system was the perfect fit for us,” commented head of MRI Karen Hackling-Searle. “It is an excellent scanner with a broad range of imaging capabilities, the latest acceler-ation techniques reducing scan time and superb image quality, which is important for some of our more complex diagnostic work.
“When we discovered Innovision we immediately recognised the transformative potential for our claustrophobic and anxious patients. It isn’t uncommon for patients to feel anxious or claustrophobic, but the reassurance patients have expressed with this technology is fantastic.”
Picture: Cobalt Health MRI operations manager Jonathan Humphris with Siemens Healthineers GB&I applications specialist Killian Mc Namara.
Published on page 17 of the April 2022 issue of RAD Magazine.