Shields Health and Emerson Health Unveil Faster, More Comfortable, Superior Image 3T MRI Technology
First Health System in State to Have the Advanced MRI Capabilities
Shields Health and Emerson Health, partners in a joint venture for MRI and PET/CT services, installed the cutting-edge GE 3T SIGNA™ Hero (HERO) at Emerson Health’s outpatient center in Westford. This advanced MRI is the first of its kind available within a health system in Massachusetts and marks the second HERO unit in the state, following the initial installation at Shields in Brockton.
The 3 Tesla (3T) strength HERO replaces an older MRI system and offers the region state-of-the-art clinical and care enhancements. The revolutionary machine provides faster scan times and superior image quality. The scanner also includes specialty prostate MRI services, another first for the Westford region.
"Our partnership with Shields Health delivers state-of-the-art equipment, advancing our commitment to outstanding patient care. The new HERO MRI is a game-changer - significantly reducing scan times while increasing patients’ comfort, and enhancing image quality for the best diagnostics and treatment planning. We are excited to be the first health system in Massachusetts to offer patients these advanced MRI capabilities."
— Christine Schuster, RN, MBA, President and CEO, Emerson Health
Named in honor of healthcare workers who worked the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic caring for patients, the HERO's technology features a spacious 70 cm "open-bore" and a detachable table to help accommodate patients of all shapes and sizes and enhance patient comfort. Additionally, it's AI-driven whole-body workflow solutions ensure operational efficiency and clear images, providing improved patient comfort and exceptional scan quality for optimal diagnostic and treatment planning.
The HERO's advanced features include decreased scan times up to 60%, thanks to GE HealthCare’s deep learning image reconstruction technology, AIR™ Recon DL. Its design is not only user-friendly but also eco-friendly, reducing helium usage by up to 67% and significantly decreasing power consumption.
Highlighting the advantages of the new machine, Shields Health President Peter Ferrari stated, "The overall experience of MRI scans has significantly improved. With reduced scan times and enhanced image clarity through the use of AI, we can enable better diagnoses and more confident treatment plans. We are proud to continue our partnership with Emerson Health, which is dedicated to delivering advanced patient care through the latest techniques and equipment."
Emerson Health Westford plans to begin using the new MRI with patients at the end of August.
For more information about the GE 3T Hero MRI in Westford, visit shields.com.
