Saskatoon hospital to implement portable MRI

SASKATOON – Saskatchewan’s first portable pediatric MRI is coming to Saskatoon’s Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. A total of $1 million was raised to foot the cost of the machine. Half that amount was raised through the Drive for Kids golf tournament, and the funds were then matched by sponsors and donors.

Brynn Boback-Lane, CEO of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, said the new piece of technology will help kids be more comfortable when getting care in the hospital.

“This portable pediatric MRI is extraordinary technology that will improve the delivery of pediatric health care for Saskatchewan kids,” said Boback-Lane.

“It is a vital piece of equipment. The technology will allow MRI imaging to take place at a patient’s bedside.”

Boback-Lane said the challenges and risks of moving a patient across the hospital are eliminated through the new tool.

“It’s a major difference in the way that we deliver care to a child, especially when family is so important at the time of certain treatments,” said Boback-Lane.

“With the technology we have right now, a child would go into an MRI alone. With this technology, taking it to the bedside, parents (and) family members can be present at the time of what can be a very traumatic treatment for little ones.”

Boback-Lane said that keeping equipment at the top of the line is important in order to give the very best care to the hospital’s young patients.

“This is Saskatchewan’s first portable MRI for children, and to say that is a Saskatchewan first just lends itself to ensuring we keep up with the technology that is available to help our kids and give better treatment for them,” she said.