Ontario’s first modular MRI department opens at Brockville

BROCKVILLE, Ont. – SDI Canada, Canadian leader in medical infrastructure, unveiled their project for Ontario’s first-ever modular MRI Cassette at Brockville General Hospital, to be up and running by spring 2024. This cutting-edge technology will enable the hospital to recreate a secure environment needed to operate medical equipment, which in this case is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system.

This type of installation means hospitals and other medical institutions can maintain their other activities during reorganization, renovation, or expansion work.

Moreover, the prefabricated modular building promotes faster turnarounds as compared to traditional construction. It also allows for better quality control during its construction, since it’s built in a completely controlled environment. The modular also promises a lifespan equivalent to traditional constructions.

The innovative technology behind these prefabricated installations effectively meets some of the most pressing needs of today’s hospitals by:

• satisfying hospitals’ clinical and technological obligations
• creating a strategic, cutting-edge reserve of medical infrastructure in order to support and optimize the deployment of technology throughout the building’s lifespan.

The Modular MRI Cassettes offers many benefits such as control over costs and delays. Additionally, the Cassette’s factory manufacturing process meets the highest quality standards and can provide a multitude of personalized dimensions and options, allowing a comfortable, ergonomic environment for personnel and patients alike.

This means institutions can adapt the Cassette to their specific medical needs, from imaging to surgery, reception, triage, and even office space. The modular unit can even be aesthetically adapted to match existing infrastructure.

Modular technology provides the opportunity to increase procedure capacity, which can also benefit the clinical and research community as well.

In Brockville General Hospital’s case, two prefabricated sections will be delivered and paired together to create the new imaging room. One built according to MRI requirements and the other according to those of the needed workspaces.

These two structures will be lowered in spot by crane on a reinforced structural foundation waiting to be connected to the existing building and utilities. Since the interior and exterior finishings of both modulars have already been completed, all that’s left will be to crane in the new Siemens MRI.

An extensive team of specialists – including architects, engineers, entrepreneurs, and subcontractors – will help install the Cassette and ensure its optimal performance.

“MRI imaging can help physicians provide early diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions, often eliminating the need for other tests. This can translate to faster and better care, ultimately improving an individual’s quality of life” says Brockville General Hospital CEO Nicholas Vlacholias (pictured). “Investing in modern tools and technologies, like this MRI suite, also supports our healthcare workers with the right tools and technology to confidently provide the best patient care.”

The CEO has already been contacted by other healthcare institutions who want to know more about how this technology works. “SDI offers an innovative solution to housing a highly specialized magnetic tool. Compared to a traditional building, SDI’s prefabricated building will save us money and time, while allowing us to be operational faster. This means shorter wait times for testing and treatment for our friends, family and neighbours across Leeds Grenville, and beyond.”

“This rapid-deployment tool proved its worth during the pandemic,” says SDI Canada president and founder Toufic Abiad. “It has helped increase capacity in many hospitals around the world, despite the many complications they have endured over the past few years.”

Key players in the healthcare industry have recognized SDI Canada’s strengths over the past 20 years. Companies like Siemens, General Electric (GE), and Philips acknowledge SDI as a key partner. They’re also known for the construction of imaging rooms in some of the best hospitals across Canada and around the world.

SDI Canada remains a key ally in the deployment of MRI’s and biomedical equipment. The company serves Canadian healthcare providers as an expert in construction, infrastructure maintenance and the distribution of specialized accessories, such as chiller systems.

Some of the company’s most recent turnkey projects in Canada include:

• redesigning four MRI rooms at Toronto Western Hospital (which they had previously shielded)
• installing the 7Tesla MRI at the Montreal Neurological Institute
• delivering the first-ever modular MRI department in Canada at Winnipeg Health Sciences Center

With over 20 years of experience in the hospital sector, SDI Canada is proud to provide this innovative solution to Canada’s medical and clinical communities. These solutions have the capacity to permanently and sustainably transform our medical infrastructure.