Press release:
For Immediate Release
August 16, 2016Asheville VA Doubles MRI Capacity
CHARLES GEORGE VA MEDICAL CENTER, Asheville, N.C. – On Monday, August 15, 2016 many drivers traveling on Tunnel Road may have noticed a huge crane beside the entrance to the Charles George VA’s Emergency Department. The crane was there to install a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine doubling the MRI imaging capacity at the medical center.
Due to the new MRI’s large size, workers were unable to fit the machine through existing doorways so an access area was created through the roof of the medical center. A 400 ton crane was used to carefully lower the new MRI machine in place in the Imaging suite.
While doubling the number of scans the facility is able to perform, the new MRI machine is larger and will enhance access for patients who might be claustrophobic or larger than allowed by the existing MRI machine. Previously, patients who were claustrophobic often had to have imaging done in the community.
“We are really excited to get the new MRI installed. It’s nice to be able to have a greater in house capability, allowing us to get patients the scans they need very quickly,” says Imaging Service Chief Dr. Keith Kohatsu.
The new MRI machine is expected to be online sometime in mid-September. At the Charles George VA Medical Center we are honored to serve America’s Veterans and pleased to add another quality healthcare service to them.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.