Whole-body MRI helps Hackensack Radiology Group improve quality and find growth opportunities
Hackensack Radiology Group is a provider of diagnostic and interventional radiology services in Northern New Jersey with a 50-year track record of providing technologically advanced imaging services and quality patient care at convenient outpatient centers. convenient. It offers a full range of imaging services, including PET, MRI, CT, mammography, ultrasound, X-ray and DEXA, as well as a multitude of appropriate in-store exams.
PROBLEM
A few years ago, Hackensack Radiology began receiving requests from patients for whole-body MRI screening to detect cancer. The organization is committed to screening, including breast cancer, lung cancer and coronary artery calcium, and they are excited about this opportunity.
However, full body Don Elting, chief executive officer of Hackensack Radiology Group, said MRI screening is a difficult endeavor because it poses two main challenges.
“The first is the length of the procedure, as accurate detection of cancer requires robust multi-parameter high-resolution imaging, which often takes considerable time,” he explains. “The second is to manage the results appropriately, as screening will inevitably lead to the discovery of many findings, some significant and others innocuous.
“Because we could not design a comprehensive, time-saving whole-body MRI procedure that met our high standards, and we did not have a reliable method to ensure administration,” he continued. appropriate, we do not provide this service. “However, despite these challenges, as patient demand increases, it is clear that we need to investigate further.”
PROPOSE
Hackensack Radiology continued its search and found provider Ezra’s AI-powered whole-body MRI technology. Ezra partners with radiology clinics like Hackensack Radiology to increase access to whole-body MRI.
“A big challenge with whole-body MRI is the need for both high-resolution images and fast scanning times,” Elting noted. “Typically, in MRI, there is a trade-off between image quality and acquisition time. If you optimize for fast scan times, you often have to sacrifice quality.
“However, Ezra uses advanced, FDA-cleared AI image enhancement to enable fast scan times while maintaining high image quality,” he continued. “This facilitates a comprehensive whole-body MRI protocol with very fast scan times of just 30 minutes.”
The second major challenge with whole-body MRI is managing the results.
“The main purpose of a whole-body MRI screening test is to detect cancer,” Elting explains. “However, screening exams can also detect many incidental findings, of varying significance. Confusion about the significance of these findings can sometimes lead to costly work-ups that are not necessary.
“Ezra generates AI-powered medical reports that translate our radiologists’ findings into common terms and categorize the findings into clinical significance,” he added. “This promises to help patients understand the significance of underlying malignancy and reduce anxiety about harmless incidental findings, thereby empowering patients and ensuring appropriate management.”
MEETING THE CHALLENGE
All provider examinations were performed exclusively on 3T MRI, as opposed to 1.5T or lower field strength MRI. This ensures maximum signal and high resolution images for improved sensitivity in cancer detection.
“All of our facilities have 3.0T MRI, and the Ezra is seamlessly integrated with our magnets for uploading protocols,” reports Elting. “The vendor then conducted rigorous quality assurance testing to ensure optimal signal-to-noise ratio before we began scanning patients.
“The provider manages the planning, billing and follow-up for all of its patients,” he continued. “This reduces administrative burden and drives efficiency to our overall operations. When a patient is scheduled at our location, one of more than 40 radiologists trained at the Our board of directors will oversee the scans and interpret the results, ensuring high clinical standards.”
RESULT
Ezra is currently one of Hackensack Radiology’s top referrals.
“Since partnering in 2023, we have examined more than 250 Ezra patients for whole-body MRI scans, which has provided more growth opportunities for our practice,” said Elting. “More important is the whole body MRI scans have helped us detect many cancers in their early stages, hopefully saving lives.
“The supplier has ensured that our customers’ needs for high-touch technical healthcare solutions are being met every day,” he continued. “Furthermore, it has helped Hackensack Radiology maintain its position as the leading provider of advanced imaging services in the Northeast, creating a flywheel of business continuity and traction in our core markets.” .”
ADVICE TO OTHERS
“There is no doubt that we are in the midst of a healthcare renaissance, as preventative technologies such as full-body MRI scans, wearable sleep trackers and Continuous glucose monitors continue to gain traction in the mainstream community.” “It’s clear that people want to take more control of their health as soon as possible so they can face health challenges if and when they come.
“Being able to offer a service like this, which enables patients to be continuously monitored for underlying disease, is a huge competitive advantage in the field of radiology – and I encourage more care providers to Healthier consider providing these services.”
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