Grinnell Regional Medical Center will begin installation of the new magnetic resonance imaging unit on Monday, Dec. 27, with the preparation for the magnets arrival on Tuesday morning.
“Installing an MRI magnet is a complex process that must happen within a narrow time frame,” explains Gina Fuller, GRMC director of radiology. “A special track will run from the emergency department entrance down the hall and to the magnet’s new home. For 48 hours, we will be closing down a portion of the hallway on second floor to install the magnet.”
The driveway ramp leading to the emergency department from Third Avenue will be closed to all traffic for about five hours on Tuesday, Dec. 28, from approximately 7 a.m. to noon. For emergencies, ambulance services and patients arriving by private car should come to the circle drive at the main entrance of the hospital, located on the south side of the hospital complex. Signs will be in place to assist emergency patients to the proper entrance.
A crane will lift the magnet from the transporter and place it on the track. Once this is completed, the crane can be moved and the emergency department will be able to receive patients.
“Our team has reviewed various scenarios to ensure access to services is not impacted and that our patient safety standards are maintained. All services will be available; however, patients may need to travel alternative routes to their destinations during this window. We hope our guests will forgive us for the inconvenience because this is such a significant equipment addition to GRMC,” Fuller says.
GRMC’s new MRI unit is scheduled to be operational by February 1. The current mobile unit will continue to be available for patients until then.
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