MRI Entertainment System funded by charity reduces anxiety and enhances patient experience
Generous charitable funds from Plymouth Hospital Charity’s (PCH) priority fund along with a substantial memoriam donation from Phil Sanders, has allowed for the funding of the Siemens Nordic Comfort Solution Media System for the MRI department at University Hospitals Plymouth (UHP). This recently acquired advanced media system has already enhanced patient experience during MRI scans, whilst also making for a calmer working environment for our colleagues.
Major donor, Phil Sanders explains: “I wanted to support the hospital and to do some good in memory of my aunt and uncle, Barbara and John Whitaker, after the teams at Derriford Hospital looked after them with such great care and skill before they died. The MRI entertainment system is a great way to support the staff at the hospital and to help lots of patients in the future.”
This piece of equipment will be used daily for most patients coming through this scanner. Colleagues have already witnessed its huge benefits. Ellie Lloyd, Radiographer explains, “This more advanced system has been able to reduce the number of abandoned scans in both adults and children by reducing the fear of MRI and claustrophobia and therefore the need for sedation for their scan. In turn, this reduces waiting lists and enriches both the patient experience and the working environment for colleagues. It has also reduced motion artefact (voluntary or involuntary patient movement during image acquisition) in scans where patients are used to having MRI scans but become bored, particularly in longer scans.”
The immersive media system provides a screen of personalised viewing for the patient during their scan, where they can watch anything from a calming meditation video, to a programme/film of choice from various applications. Seeing as an MRI can last up to 60 minutes, this is a truly welcome distraction and has such potential to assist radiographers in delivering the best patient care.
The MRI entertainment system will help the hospital reduce imaging waiting lists by reducing the amount of patients that will need general anaesthetic, including paediatric patients. In the future, the investment will also enable colleagues to implement a dedicated claustrophobic list for adult patients who would otherwise need sedation. This system alone will without a doubt help to improve the diagnostic image quality and patient experience of our inpatients. Everyone in the local community will benefit enormously from the lasting legacy that Phil’s auntie and uncle donated towards this scanner.
If you would like to discuss ways to remember a loved one by partnering with your NHS charity, call 01752 430332 or email phcharityteam@nhs.net for more information.
