PGI Chandigarh to start round-the-clock MRI facility for emergency patients soon

Chandigarh: Amid the increasing number of patients at emergency wards of the premier health institute, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI Chandigarh), a 24/7 MRI facility is expected to be launched soon. 

The facility will address the rising emergency cases in the hospital and help minimise the waiting period of the patients. Recently, patients who visit the hospital's trauma centre and emergency wing often wait in a long queue to get an MRI done. 

With the launch of the round-the-clock MRI facility, the process will become faster and easier for patients. Currently, there are 4 MRI machines which are available from 8 am to 2 am in an emergency.

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Until the new launch, PGI authorities have decided to use the existing resources and extend the working hours for emergency patients to control the waiting period of the patients. 

Speaking to TOI, PGI director Prof Vivek Lal said, "We are gearing up and planning to run MRI facility round the clock for emergency services. For this, a dedicated nurse, hospital attendant will be recruited. We will complete the process soon."

"The 24x7 facility will be provided at the Nehru hospital which is closer to the trauma centre and emergency wing. Further modalities are being deliberated if we use one machine or two on rotation. Usually, the machines are switched off after the intense work as it enhances the wear and tear," a faculty said.

"Unlike other hospitals where MRI and CT scan are mainly used for screening purpose and consequently there is no pendency, the PGI does advanced level imaging that takes around 30 minutes per patient. There has to be precision in the imaging that will help a surgeon to decide the dimensions of any malignancy. We cannot simply screen and complete the scanning," another faculty said. 

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