Courtesy Saratoga Hospital
Saratoga Hospital recently invested about $2 million to make highly sophisticated imaging of the brain, spine and prostate easily accessible to patients in the Saratoga region.
The hospital’s Wilton campus is now home to a 3 Tesla (3T) MRI to better serve patients with certain prostate, neurological and joint conditions, officials said. The new MRI is twice as powerful as the 1.5T MRI that is the standard of care for most imaging procedures.
Tesla refers to the strength of the magnetic field created by the MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) equipment. A stronger magnetic field creates clearer, more detailed images. This superior image quality is essential when viewing small areas such as the prostate, lesions in the brain and small joints.
“With the more powerful 3T MRI, we can diagnose certain conditions more accurately,” said Mildred Aviles, Saratoga Hospital director of medical imaging. “Patients affected by those conditions need and deserve easy access to this superior image quality.”
The $2 million purchase is yet another example of the hospital’s continued investments to bring critical services and technology to Saratoga County.
Other recent investments include: $6 million to expand cancer care, $3.25 million to expand cardiovascular and interventional services, $2 million to update and expand robotic surgery, and $750,000 to update and expand infusion therapy services.
“Saratoga Hospital takes a strategic, proactive approach, offering leading-edge technology when it can have the greatest impact for our patients,” Aviles said. “The 3T MRI places us on the forefront of care in prostate imaging and other areas that are important to our community.”
The hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center, also on the Wilton campus, features some of the region’s most advanced women’s imaging technology, according to the hospital. With the 3T MRI, the hospital offers comparable imaging services for men.
For patients whose doctors order 3T MRI scans, this latest investment also eliminates the stress of having to travel outside the region.
“Patients in Saratoga County and north who need the added definition of a 3T MRI now have that option closer to home,” Aviles said. “When you’re concerned about your health, that added comfort and convenience can make a difficult time a little easier.”
In addition, Saratoga Hospital patients can be confident they are receiving imaging services of the highest quality. The American College of Radiology has designated Saratoga Hospital a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence—the highest national recognition available. The designation applies to imaging services at the hospital and Wilton Medical Arts.
For more information: saratogahospital.org or facebook.com/SaratogaHospital.