The Christ Hospital is excited to offer the Philips Ambient Experience in our 1.0 Open MRI suite. The Ambient Experience is a unique approach to patient care that is designed to alleviate the common stress and anxiety associated with having a complicated test. Through a combination of projection, lighting, music and architectural elements, the examination room becomes a more soothing place. In addition, the open design of the patient-friendly MR equipment allows the patient to feel more at ease and comfortable during the procedure. Patients are treated in a personalized clinical environment designed with their needs in mind.
Benefits to the patient:
- Greater involvement in own treatment
- Reduced anxiety and increased comfort
- Possible reduction of sedation time and procedure time
What is an MRI?
An MRI or magnetic resonance imaging scan uses a powerful magnet and a computer to take pictures of numerous parts of the body. This test allows your doctor to see your body in narrow slices, each about one quarter of an inch thick. The pictures can be taken from the side to side, from the front to back, or as cross-sections. MRI is safe and effective and does not use ionizing radiation.
How to prepare for your MRI
Before your MRI
No special preparation is needed for the exam. You may eat and drink normally and take any prescribed medication, unless your physician instructs you differently. You may want to avoid caffeinated beverages so you are able to lie still for a long period of time. You will be asked to remove any metallic objects or jewelry such as a watch, eyeglasses, credit cards, dentures or hearing aids. Metallic objects cannot be inside the scanning room. You will be provided with a secure place to put these items.
Please inform the technologist if you have:
- Cardiac pacemaker or artificial heart valve
- Metal plate, pin or other metallic implant
- Intrauterine device, such as a Copper-7 IUD
- Insulin pump or other infusion pump
- Aneurysm clip
- Previous gun shot wound
- Ever been a metal worker or had metal in your eye
- Permanent (tattoo) eye-liner
- Or if you are pregnant.
During your MRI
MRI is an easy, comfortable and painless procedure that is completed within 30 to 60 minutes. During the exam, you will be asked to lie on a cushioned table, and a device called a “coil” will be placed over or under the area being imaged. The technologist will assist in placing you on the table and make you as comfortable as possible. During the exam, you will be asked to lie still while the scanner acquires the needed images. When the scanner is acquiring the images, you will hear thumping noises. Throughout the exam, the technologist will be in constant communications with you.
After your MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a noninvasive procedure and there are no known side effects or after effects. The use of contrast is also an option for an MRI scan. The use of contrast is dependent on the body part that is being imaged, past history, and diagnosis as to why the exam is being performed. Contrast used in MRI has no side effects.
After your MRI has been interpreted by our radiologist, the ordering physician will receive a report of the findings. Your physician will then advise you of the results and discuss what further procedures, if any, are needed.