Who: Who needs an MRI?
Sue Ann: Patients who are in need of a diagnosis come to see us at MRI of Southfield. We have patients that are suffering from headaches, back pain, people with degenerative conditions of the joints, people with something as vague as stomachaches and abdominal problems that we will scan to look at their internal organs.

Who: Is it claustrophobic?
Sue Ann: No, not with the wide open scanners we have at MRI of Southfield. In the past this was a problem and, being a nurse all of my life, I’ve watched so many patients suffer through an MRI – unable to complete it. This claustrophobic response is actually a physical reaction and it’s very frightening to patients.

Who: What’s the solution for these patients?
Sue Ann: We’ve spent many years trying to perfect our formula at MRI of Southfield. It’s been my mission to see that patients get through tests with the least amount of discomfort possible. We searched high and low and found a very unique and revolutionary scanner. It’s a wide open, side entry scanner!

Who: A wide open scanner? How does that work?
Sue Ann: The patient is put into the scanner very comfortably – on a bed moving sideways. It truly is wide open, so the patient is not confined when they’re going through their scan. Before, many patients felt as though they were being pushed into a torpedo tube. With the wide open scanner, that feeling is eliminated. There is nothing touching the side of the patient and it is truly open once they’re inside.

Who: So it’s not uncomfortable anymore?
Sue Ann: Exactly. For example, someone the size of Derian Hatcher, one of the players for the Detroit Red Wings and a very big guy, is comfortable in our scanner. We see a lot of athletes who suffer from a myriad of sports-related injuries, as well as many larger size patients who simply would not fit in to a traditional size scanner.

Who: How does someone come to MRI of Southfield?
Sue Ann: We work in partnership with the patient’s physician. We always encourage patients to go see their physician first and foremost. Then, we are there to serve as a partner with the referring physician – to find a diagnosis for these patients.

Who: Do they need a prescription?
Sue Ann: Yes, a patient always needs to obtain a prescription from their doctor. The next step would be to call us. All patients have a say in where they get their MRI, no matter what a doctor recommends. I say to patients all the time, "Tell your doctor about MRI of Southfield! It will make a difference in your treatment and recovery." Plus, we are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Who: You’re open 24 hours a day?
Sue Ann: Yes! A patient should not have to wait two or three weeks to get results when there is pain or suffering involved. I decided that we would be open 24 hours a day so we could accommodate all patients. Our patients typically do not wait more than a couple of days to get their exam.

Who: Is there any downside to an MRI? It sounds like it’s a great tool.
Sue Ann: The tests can sometimes require that the patient be in the scanner for up to a half hour per exam. The good news is that a physician has the answers they’re looking for in just a few days. Getting a clear diagnosis quickly really outweighs any downside!

For more information call 248-354-5511 or visit online at www.mriofsouthfield.com.