McLeod Medical Center Dillon administration and staff are pleased to announce the addition of their new General Electric (GE) Signa Ovation .35t Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system.

This new system and the additional space required for the new suite in Radiology represent an approximate $1.5 million investment at McLeod Medical Center Dillon by McLeod Health. The new suite was completed and opened in 2003.

The full-time MRI technologist at McLeod Medical Center Dillon is Matt Matthews, R.T. R., M.R. He is a registered radiologic technologist in radiography and is certified in MRI. He completed extensive training at McLeod Regional Medical Center to earn certification in MRI.

The Ovation system was chosen with patient comfort and quality of imaging in mind. It is the newest member of GE's MRI family and has four and a half feet of open patient space, more than any other Open MRI system.

The openness of the unit should greatly lower patient anxiety, especially for those who are claustrophobic. Also, to make the MRI suite more patient-friendly and to further relieve patient nervousness, a large window with an outside view was included.

The Open MRI unit includes pulse sequences once only offered by higher-field, closed MRI systems. Pulse sequences reduce scan time, but increase diagnostic image quality. For patients with breathing problems or those with difficulty holding their breath, this shorter scan time is important for image quality.

The convenience for physicians in scheduling patients daily with an Open MRI in-house is one of the biggest advantages of the new system. In addition, patients are enjoying having a state-of-the-art Open MRI system locally and not having to travel out of the area for this service.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call McLeod Reservations and Scheduling at 843-777-2095.