Hickory, NC – Frye Regional Medical Center is pleased to announce it will introduce its new, advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner at its outpatient diagnostic imaging center, FryeCare this October.

The new system – known as Signa® Infinity with EXCITE™ – is from GE Medical Systems and is designed to acquire diagnostic information more quickly, as well as improve the ability to diagnose a wide range of conditions, including cardiac and vascular disease; stroke; abdominal and brain disorders; and musculoskeletal conditions in the knee, shoulder and other joints.

According to Radiologist Alan D. Massengill, MD, “This scanner can reduce the length of MRI exams while improving the quality of the anatomical information, and it may also make MRI exams more comfortable for patients, especially those who have difficulty holding their breath during certain procedures. We can now offer more exams than ever before, with greater detail, especially for cardiac and liver diseases.”

MRI utilizes computers and magnetic fields, rather than radiation, to provide safe and non-invasive images of the human anatomy.

“Our continuing ability to provide advanced care to our patients requires leading-edge technologies, like the Signa EXCITE scanner,” said FryeCare Administrator Sandra Holman. “This system opens the door to new imaging applications that may improve the diagnosis of disease throughout the human body, from head to toe.”

For more information contact FryeCare at 828-315-7030.

Frye Regional Medical Center is a 355-bed acute care facility located at 420 North Center Street in Hickory, NC.  The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of Catawba County since 1911.  The hospital’s main campus includes a comprehensive heart center and cardiopulmonary rehab, skilled nursing unit, orthopedics, bariatric surgery, inpatient rehabilitation unit, outpatient rehabilitation services, pediatrics, center for neurosciences, cancer center and women’s pavilion.  Frye has several extended campuses to serve families throughout the area including: Frye Wellness and Education Center which houses the Center For Diabetes Self-Management Care, perinatal education and community wellness classes; South Campus for psychiatric services; Viewmont and Tate Surgery Centers; Vein and Wound Center/Infusion Care; Pain Center; Piedmont Therapy, offering sports and industrial rehabilitation; an urgent care facility; FryeCare, an outpatient diagnostic facility; Alexander Campus, which provides 24 hour emergency care along with diagnostic and laboratory services and infusion care; plus HealthPoint, which provides extensive industrial services and programs to employers.

Frye Regional Medical Center is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about the hospital, visit www.fryemedctr.com.

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Photo cutline:  MRI Supervisor Connie Monday, RTR, MR, stands beside the new MRI. The ball in the photo is called a “test phantom.” According to Monday, the test phantom is for quality assurance purposes before the machine is used on patients.