Nawaloka Hospitals installs second MRI scanner

Sri Lanka’s pioneer private healthcare provider, Nawaloka Hospitals recently installed the second MRI scanner to offer more accurate and efficient diagnostic and imaging services which will avoid waiting times for their patients.

This new scanner is a Philips Ingenia 1.5TCX Digital MRI scanner and is one of the best cardiac specialised and abdominal specialised machines in the world which is capable of giving a detailed and a clearer scan of the abdomen compared to other conventional equipment. The new machine is an addition to the present three Tesla MRI scanner which has a host of special features. Together, these two scanners will provide a comprehensive and total MRI service, as available internationally, now in Sri Lanka.

The new upgraded machine also has ambient lighting to create a relaxed atmosphere for the patient and prevent anxiety; this feature is called an in-bore experience. This is the first fully digital MRI scanner in Sri Lanka and Nawaloka Hospitals takes pride in being the forerunner in terms of upgrading and updating technology-wise to accommodate latest technology in the world and offer Sri Lankans world-class healthcare services at affordable rates.

What truly sets Nawaloka Hospital’s radiology unit apart is that it comes with a host of advanced machines and is coupled with the expert care of a panel of professionals including over 21 senior radiologists and more than 60 staff members including well-experienced and trained nursing staff.

Diagnostic imaging is central to disease management because it helps to detect and determine treatment. In that regard, Nawaloka Hospital has invested substantially in upgrading its radiology facilities, staying true to their pledge towards ensuring a healthier Sri Lanka.

The Radiology Department offers some special benefits like report delivering facility for a reasonable cost, e-mailing reports to patients, special patient care within the department whilst offering a homely atmosphere and less time for examinations.

Another first, Nawaloka Hospitals has implemented a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) at the Radiology Unit installing workstations for every scan room and connecting all modalities (MRI/CT/XRay/Ultra-Sound/Mammogram) to the system to make all reports centrally accessible to consultants. This allows radiologists to prepare a more comprehensive report referring to patients’ history which makes detection and treatment of conditions increasingly easy.

With the implementation of the new system, the number of films has been minimised and in future Nawaloka Hospitals radiology department will issue a CD for every patient in a bid to go completely paperless. Each radiologist has been issued an e-signature and they are able to do remote-reporting, another first in Sri Lanka, by using the PACS as a platform.

The hospital preserves scanned details of every patient up to five years and these records are accessible by ICUs, Medical Officers and consultants via any authorised computer. Patients also have the option of getting their reports emailed to them and relevant consultants at no extra cost.