MRI Scans, Bon Secours Hospital Galway
An MRI is a scan which uses a large magnet to create the images. At Bon Secours Hospital Galway, we have 1.5 Tesla Siemens Aera MRI Galway Scanner. The area has high patient comfort in mind, with its 70 cm wide bore, in combination with ultra-short system design. This scanner is capable of a wide range of both standard and advanced examinations. This state-of-the-art scanner is designed for maximum speed and comfort, particularly important for patients who find it difficult to remain still or may suffer from claustrophobia.
All MRI scans in the Bon Secours are performed by qualified state registered Radiographers and are reported on by Consultant Radiologists.
Services Offered:
All systems of the body can be imaged using MRI including neurological (brain and spine), Musculoskeletal (joints), Abdominal and Pelvic and Angiographic (blood vessels). The advantages of the multi-channel technology employed include higher speed, sharper images and increased patient comfort. It also facilitates performing some examinations ‘feet first’ in the scanner, alleviating anxieties regarding claustrophobia.
Further advanced examinations are also routine due to the revolutionary technology employed in this scanner. These include whole body angiography (blood vessels) and whole spine imaging, all in one examination without repositioning the patient. Imaging information is seamlessly ‘knitted’ together to create a clearer understanding of entire regions.
The Bon Secours Hospital Galway does not perform MRI of Breast or Cardiac MRI.
Arranging Appointments:
Due to the fact it does not use ionising radiation MRI is considered one of the safest diagnostic tools. However, there are some contraindications to having an MRI scan mainly due to the strong magnetic field used. This includes certain metallic and electronic implants and foreign bodies.
If you are pregnant or breast feeding you should also make your doctor aware of this prior to having an MRI.
If the patient has any special requirement such as sight or hearing deficits, requires any assistance (eg must have a hoist to get out of a chair) or has any cognitive deficit please let us know when making the appointment.
A referral letter is required to be sent from your GP by fax or post to the relevant consultant. On receiving a signed request for an MRI Scans from a doctor, our appointments secretary at the x ray services department at the Bon Secours Private Hospital Galway will contact you and will go through some questions designed to ensure your safety during the scan. An appointment will then be given to you.
Contact Information:
The MRI Scan Centre department is located within the X-Ray department of the Galway Bon Secours Hospital. It has its own entrance at the side of the hospital closest to the Consultants Clinic.
The appointments office is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday on (091) 381975, or fax (091) 757639.
Opening Hours:
Our scanner is open from 7am to 10:30pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 5:30pm on Saturday.
Costs:
MRI examinations are covered by most health insurers. When your appointment is made the appointment secretary will ask you for your insurance details and will be able to tell you if your scan will be covered by your insurer.
For those patient paying for their scan MRI costs €250 per area scanned
