(Submitted Photo/Government of Saskatchewan)

By paNOW Staff

NEW MRI

Province welcomes first pediatric MRI to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital

May 14, 2024 | 10:00 AM

Saskatchewan’s first portable pediatric MRI machine has arrived at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.

The Swoop® Portable MR Imaging System can complete brain scans at the bedside of some pediatric patients in a matter of minutes and allow family members to be present.

On Tuesday morning, Health Minister Everett Hindley joined representatives from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, Indigenous leaders and major donors to celebrate the launch.

“Our government is pleased to invest in this innovation that will allow health care teams to perform MRI scans quickly and safely at a patient’s bedside resulting in faster diagnosis and improved outcomes for children,” said Hindley.

The Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation in partnership with Synergy 8 Community Builders and major donor Gene Pidwerbesky, raised $1 million to purchase the MRI.

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The provincial government will provide $419,000 annually to the SHA to support the MRI’s operational costs and an MRI Technologist.

The new MRI would be used in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and in trauma situations, such as the emergency department at the hospital to perform head imaging. The scans can help doctors diagnose many neurological conditions, including those caused by head injuries and suspected abuse.

“This innovative piece of equipment is on the cutting edge of how we improve the care of children when they are critically ill,” SHA Head of Pediatrics Dr. Terry Klassen said. “The demand for the type of imaging this portable MRI provides is great so as a physician, I am excited to see it in use at the hospital.”

“We all know coming to a hospital for an appointment can be intimidating for our young patients especially when it comes to something like an MRI,” added Clinical and Support Services Vice President Bryan Witt. “Having the Swoop® Portable MR Imaging System, when appropriate, will make it much easier for the children, their families and our staff to get these images taken with as little disruption as possible.”

In 2023-24, the SHA said nearly 3,000 pediatric patients received MRI services. In the last five years, that number is more than 14,400.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com