A Blog for Healthcare Consumers

Open MRI machines represent about 25% of the the total number of MRI machines installed in the U.S. Over the last several years, open MRI technology has rapidly advanced and newer open MRI machines are capable of capturing the same high resolution pictures as their closed (tube) counterparts.

Claustrophobia, children, and overweight patients

You might first discover that you're claustrophobic when getting a scan on a closed MRI. Closed MRI scanners have a tube shaped like a long donut. For most scans, your entire body will be inside the tube, with the top of the tube close to your face and your shoulders brushing its sides.

Open MRI has addressed some of these claustrophobia inducing characteristics. Some models feature a tube with a "flared" opening, like a trumpet, giving you the sense of space. In others, the sides of the tube have been "cut away" letting you see off to the side.

Open MRI has been a boon for imaging children. Many centers create a comforting environment with soft lights, music, wall hangings and a chair or bench in the scan room for family members. Open MRI scanners are much quieter than their closed counterparts, and allow both parent and child to make eye contact. 

Open MRI has given overweight patients access to high tech imaging. Open MRI scanners have a wider opening and their table weight limits are substantially higher than those of closed MRI machines. With a wider opening, positioning overweight patients into the scanner is much easier which can improve image quality.

Finding an open MRI scanner

When given the choice, consumers choose open MRI scanners over closed MRIs. So how do you find an open MRI scanner? Although you may not get comprehensive information about each facility, Google is a great resource.  Search for "open MRI" and add your local area/town/state to the search term.

Once you find a local center, here are a few tips on what to look for:

• Open MRI scanner is less than 5 years old
  
• The scanner has a field strength greater that 0.3T
• Board certified Radiologist reads your scan
  
• Certified MR technologist does your scan
  
• The facility is ACR accredited

How did you find your local open MRI scan center? What was your experience like? Leave your comments below.

A recent New York Times article correctly pointed out that not all MRI scanners are alike. So how do you, as a healthcare consumer, shop for the best scanner in your area? Although there are many factors to consider, here are a few key questions you should ask:

1. What is the magnetic field strength? Field strength varies from 0.25T to 3.0T. Larger numbers mean the MRI scanner is more "powerful" and can generate higher resolution images. The majority of scanners are 1.5T. If you're claustrophobic, you might need to go to an "open mri". The field strength for these machines varies from 0.2T to 1.0T.

2. Does the machine undergo regular maintenance? If the MRI scanner has a 1.5T field strength but the computers that interpret the data have old software, then the images may not be optimized to give the Radiologist who reads the scan the best images. MRI machines need to be updated and require maintentance and testing to remain accurate.

3. Is the technologist trained? This is also a critical part of the quality equation. If the technologist operating the machine has limited experience then the MRI scan image quality will suffer. Be sure that the center has a registered and certified MR technologist on staff who is familiar with the MRI machine.

4. Who is reading the MRI scan? A board certified Radiologist has spent over 4 years in training learning how to read medical imaging tests such as MRI. Many also subspecialize in areas like Musculoskeletal or Brain and Spine imaging. You should ask the front office staff about the Radiologist's credentials.

5. Is the center ACR certified? The ACR (American College of Radiology) has a certification program that tests the quality of the images generated by MRI scanners. Many insurance companies now require their Radiology centers to be ACR certified. Certified centers are allowed to display the ACR seal.

Of course, you can use our website to help you find the right MRI scan center for you.

Do you have any other tips? What factors did you consider when choosing a local MRI center? Please leave your comments below: