Prior to October 2019, Saint Francis Children’s Hospital did not have a pediatric MRI suite, so all pediatric patients were sent to the main hospital, where 95% of pediatric patients older than 5 were being sedated, creating a need to reduce pediatric MRI anesthesia.
Inspired by another hospital that was scanning children without sedation, Saint Francis sought to create a “Scan While Awake” program to reduce pediatric MRI anesthesia, which included seeking out the best MRI suite environment for all of their patients.
According to Kelly Kemp, Certified Child Life Specialist, key to choosing a solution was an environment perfect for all of their patients, from the youngest to the oldest. They looked into 30 or 40 types of MRI environments, and they found the Caring MR Suite® met the needs of both their youngest and oldest patients best.
October 1st, 2019, Saint Francis Children’s Hospital launched their new pediatric Caring MR Suite® – along with their “Scan While Awake” program. Saint Francis’ pediatric Caring MR Suite, shown here, features a *65″ 4K Ceiling Video Display, an HD In-Bore Viewing Video Display, custom LED Illuminated Wall Fixtures, a patient camera and patient-personal Nature Theme videos, movies, lighting hues and music. Saint Francis also chose PDC MRI RF Shielding. Learn more about their suite design here. The goal? Reduce pediatric MRI anesthesia rates for children older than 5.
*Image Ceilings and 32″ Ceiling Video Displays are now offered instead of 65″ Ceiling Video Displays for MRI
Saint Francis Children’s pediatric Caring MR Suite® with MRI In-Bore Viewing and custom LED Lighting
Some MRI staff were resistant to scanning children while awake due to potential difficulties, but leadership stood their ground, and now, according to Kemp, “It’s a beautiful, symbiotic relationship [between the MRI staff and Child Life.] Within 3 months of launching the “Scan While Awake” program, the relationship between the MRI staff, Child Life and day surgery staff became a well-oiled machine. It didn’t take long for the MRI staff to see the benefits. Now they won’t do a pediatric MRI scan without us.”
Between October 2019 and July 2024, Saint Francis performed 2,198 scans, with 72 having been unsuccessful. This results in an about 97% success rate, and a reduction in pediatric MRI anesthesia by 92%.
At the time of this interview, July 2024, year-to-date, Saint Francis had performed 296 awake scans – of the 296, 22 were unsuccessful. However, 19 were assessed to need anesthesia, but parents wished to try awake, so true unsuccessful scans were 3.
An additional benefit, according to Kemp, is greatly reduced sedation wait time. “There used to be a 4 or 5 month wait list for sedated MRI, now it is down to 6 weeks.”
Equally important was an improvement in patient experience. See one of Kemp’s favorite success stories below.
With the Caring MR Suite, the environment’s lighting, music, Theme and movie can be effortlessly personalized for each patient, and according to Kemp, that small sense of control can make all of the difference. Learn more about the science behind the Caring MR Suite here.
Learn how another Caring MR Suite site had similarly impressive results with a mixed-age patient population here.
Explore quick, easy-install In-Bore Viewing, LED Lighting, Image Ceiling, Camera, Shielding, Privacy Glass options and more here. Plus, learn more about why the Caring MR Suite is so much more than MRI patient entertainment here.
We don’t just make MRI electronics. At our core, we are an MRI Shielding company, formed in 1982 to help speed emerging MRI technology to market. Find 12 reasons to choose us for your next MRI Shielding project here.
Extend the benefits of the Caring Suite™ into any modality at your site to create a cohesive, caring experience in any space. Create your Caring Suite for any modality here.
Learn why our Cassette Relocatable Imaging Buildings are anything but your typical modular imaging buildings here.
We'll work with you to provide simple, effective and customizable solutions to help deliver your best healthcare experience and ROI.
Get A Quote