Bassett Healthcare Network is now utilizing advanced MRI technology at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. The Philips Ambition X MRI and Ambient Experience systems provide patient comfort, speed, high-quality scanning, and reliable performance and we are so proud that this new unit was built right within in our own region.
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in the body.
Built locally in Latham, New York, the Ambition X MRI system is unique in the industry. It is designed with the Philips Ambient Experience, which integrates room design, dynamic lighting, mirrors, video, and calming sounds to give patients greater control of their surroundings, reducing stress levels during a process that many feel uneasy about. Reduced stress can lead to better patient compliance with the MRI scan which relies on little to no movement to capture clear images, reducing the potential need of time-consuming rescans.
A 2020 survey by Philips found its Ambient Experience led to a 70% reduction in the need for rescans and an 80% reduction in patient sedation. 83% of respondents rated Ambient Experience as impactful in alleviating patient anxiety overall.
Not wanting any patients in need of an MRI to be left without from these benefits, Bassett Medical Center has installed Ambient Experience not only with our new Philips Ambition X MR, but also with our other established MRI machine at our Cooperstown hospital.
The magnet within the Ambition X MR system operates with only seven liters of liquid helium instead of the usual 1,500 liters. It also never needs helium refilling, which is considered ‘helium free’. All of this is more ecofriendly than a standard MRI magnet. This is important because helium is a finite resource, so it can be subject to shortages and/or price fluctuations.
“We are very excited to be working with the new Philips Ambition X MR, which provides a greatly enhanced Ambient Experience for our patients and superior image quality,” said Lynn Johnson, Director of Medical Imaging at Bassett Healthcare Network.
