For Immediate Release

February 25, 2002

Mercy Memorial has the Most Advanced Imaging in Southern Oklahoma

Ardmore—The latest technology in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) is now fully operational at Mercy Memorial Health Center.

"This is the newest MRI in southern Oklahoma," said James Chapman, M.D., radiologist.
"It means people of southern Oklahoma have access to the best equipment anywhere."

The Siemens Symphony MRI, a $1.7 million investment, has the ability to do more procedures such as non-invasive vascular, basic cardiac, and abdominal — all with more speed and clarity than in the past. It is also more spacious. The opening is larger and can hold up to 450 pounds comfortably. The larger opening also helps people with claustrophobia issues, and gives young children the comfort of being closer to their parents.

Introduced in the 1980s, MRI is a painless technology that allows doctors to see abnormalities that may be invisible to x-rays or other means of detection. It works by using a combination of magnetism and low-power radio waves to gently vibrate the molecules in the body. The MRI equipment detects these vibrations from different angles and processes them in a computer to make a series of detailed pictures that doctors then use to diagnose and monitor their patients.

MRI is particularly useful in studying the brain and spine, as well as other areas of the musculoskeletal system. In addition, MRI is so versatile it can be used to image blood vessels and provide insight into chemical components of selected tissue.

Much like the MRI, the CT examines internal structures of the body. Thanks to a highly accurate picture relationships between structures, tumors, blood clots and bone displacement can be detected.

Mercy Memorial's new GE LightSpeed CT Scanner allows physicians with critically ill or seriously injured patients to receive scans faster, more accurately and with more detail. Information that used to take minutes to capture now only takes seconds. The GE LightSpeed also allows for cardiac scanning.

"This is the same technology that they're using at the major referral centers across the nation," said Derek Howard, D.O., radiologist. "Most hospitals in other communities our size don't have the support or technology that we do."

The purchase of the new equipment is made possible because of generous gifts from the Noble Foundation and Southern Oklahoma Memorial Foundation.

Mercy Memorial Health Center is a member of the Mercy Health System of Oklahoma and the Sisters of Mercy Health System — St. Louis.

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