Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Considerations When Shopping for High-Quality Replacements



You know that repairing a malfunctioning MRI machine is cheaper than buying a new one altogether. However, you could face having to replace it sooner than later if you fail to buy high-quality replacement parts for it. Before you make your purchase, you should use these tips to ensure you get the best Toshiba replacement parts that will help your MRI machine last longer.

Research the Parts Dealer

Given the demand for high-quality machinery replacement parts, it is little wonder that the market is full of dealers vying for your business. Some of these parts dealerships, however, do not always have your best interest in mind.

Before you buy Toshiba MRI replacement parts from any dealership, you should do your research and make sure that you are doing business with a reputable company. You should look at factors like how long the company has been in operation, what kinds of new and used parts it sells, and what manufacturers with which it does business itself. You should also look at prior customers' reviews if available online and consider what these people have said about their own experiences when buying parts from the company.

Know the Parts' Appearance, Function, and Longevity

Along with researching the parts dealer with which you intend to do business, you should also know all that you can about the parts that you need for the repair or maintenance job. You should know what each part looks like, for example, so that you know what to look for when shopping online or at a brick and mortar parts dealership. This basic piece of information ensures that you get what you need without having to return or exchange the part later.

You also should know what function it performs in the machine. This information allows you to choose from among varying styles of the part that may be available and also know if you need a standard model or one that is upgraded from the part that the machine uses now. You also avoid being taken advantage of by less scrupulous dealers who may try to sell you parts that you do not need.

Finally, you should know how long the parts should last so that you can ensure that any dealership or manufacturer's warranty is sufficient for the purchase. For example, if you know that a part is designed to last for only five years but comes with a 10-year warranty, you may avoid purchasing it because you do not want to pay for a warranty that may be too expensive or impractical for the part itself.
 

Alternatively, you do not want to buy a part that should last for a decade or longer but is only covered by a five-year warranty. When you know how long each part should last, you have the information you need to make a wise investment in your MRI machine and ensure that you get a good return on that investment.

Shopping for parts for your MRI machine does not have to be a nerve wracking process. You can be smart when shopping for replacement parts and guarantee that you get the most for your money by having a few pieces of information available to you before you buy. These facts help you save money and protect your machine's longevity and usefulness.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Expanding Your Equipment Options: Why Talking With an Open MRI Service Makes Sense



You already have several great magnetic resonance imaging machines, but they are all of the more traditional type. Thinking about adding equipment that makes it possible to conduct what is known as an open MRI scan is to your benefit and the benefit of your patients. Here are some things you need to know about this approach and why it matters. 

Understanding the Concept

As a representative from the open MRI service will explain, the equipment works in a manner similar to other machine designs. The device creates a controlled magnetic field and relies on radio wave impulses to create images of what is happening inside a patient. The benefit is that this type of imaging eliminates the need for any type of invasive approach to determining what’s happening. If the results do indicate surgery, the imaging results allow the surgeon to plan the operation more efficiently and know exactly where the incisions need to be made.

Won’t Closed MRI Equipment Be Enough?

For the majority of your patients, the traditional closed design will work fine. The reason you want to talk with the representative who can provide open MRI service suggestions is because you do have patients from time to time who just can’t endure the closed equipment. For this reason, it pays to have at least one open machine available.

What Type of Patients Would Need an Open MRI?

There are several medical conditions that would make the use of open MRI equipment more practical and comfortable for the patient. Since it’s necessary for the patient to relax and keep movement to a minimum, anything that helps the individual to stay still will translate to completing the test in a shorter amount of time. That’s something you and the patient will appreciate.

People with phobias are a prime example. Consider what it would be like for a patient suffering from claustrophobia to go into a traditional imaging machine. The emotional distress will be significant, making it almost impossible for the patient to remain still enough to achieve reasonable results. An open MRI machine is less likely to trigger distress and boosts the odds for successfully completing the testing.
 

Anyone who has ever suffered with an anxiety disorder knows how every sight and sound can cause the racing mind to go even faster. Many patients report that sounds seem to magnify somewhat while moving through the closed machinery. That means even if some type of covering for the eyes helps to minimize the impact of the lighting, there is still the matter of sounds that tend to amplify and strike the distressed nerves with a force that is impossible to describe.
 

An open design eases the stress on an already overworked nervous system and reduces the chances of a panic attack occurring in the middle of the test.
 

There are people whose height and build is above the average. Attempting to fit them through the closed MRI machine may be difficult and maybe even impossible. Patients whose physical dimensions are larger can be accommodated by the open design, and the testing will be accurate.
 

If you’ve never thought about investing in open MRI equipment, now is a good time to sit down with an expert and go over the benefits of purchasing at least one unit. After exploring all the possibilities, it will be easy to see why having more than one machine design on hand will pay off in a big way.

Thursday, August 11, 2016

What Must the Right MRI Service Provider Offer in Order to Earn Your Business?



You take the task of magnetic resonance imaging seriously. After all, the results of the imaging process have a direct impact on future health treatments for your patients. That means the data has to be accurate and complete. In order to keep your machines in top condition, you need to work with the right MRI service provider. Here are some of the types of support that the ideal service will provide.

Original Replacement Parts

Access to original components is always a plus. Over time, your machines will need a new part now and then. Since original replacement parts are in full compliance with the standards used for the parts currently in your machine, you know the quality is there. That’s not necessarily the case when components manufactured by a third party are used. In order to ensure the best results and protect your clients, the service you choose must have access to an ample supply of original parts.
 

Flexible Service Plans

While there is a core group of benefits that everyone in your field wants to lock in, there may be other types of support that you want included. Someone else may prefer a different set of services. When the provider offers more than one type of service plan, that makes it easier to come up with something that is ideal for your needs. Thanks to this approach, you don’t have to pay for anything that you think is unnecessary, but you do have the comfort of knowing your plan covers everything that you consider essential.
 

Remember that your service plan should include provisions for equipment tune-ups, discounts on replacement parts, and special rates for any labor involved. Keep in mind that over the course of a year, the right type of service plan will save a lot of money.

Inspections and Other Forms of Preventive Maintenance

As part of the support, you will want to think about ways to avoid major operational issues with your imaging equipment. One way to do that is to secure some type of plan for preventive maintenance. Working in conjunction with your service plan, it’s possible to arrange for a complete system inspection on a recurring schedule.
 

There’s also the opportunity to lock in a specified number of system checks during the course of the year. Those checks will not be as exhaustive as the complete inspections, but they will ensure the major components are checked regularly. Making use of preventive maintenance means that if a part is showing signs of wear and is likely to break down soon, you can resolve the matter now. That can save you a lot of time and money.
 

Emergency Support

The best MRI service provider will not only show up when an appointment is scheduled weeks in advance. Emergency services that you can call upon at a moment’s notice should also be part of the support. Ask what type of turnaround is involved if a client calls at the start of the business day and reports that a machine will not activate. How long will it take for a technician to arrive on the scene? Knowing that the provider responds quickly is important, since you will already have patients lined up for the day and need to take care of them sooner rather than later.

Take the task of finding the right MRI service provider seriously. Ask plenty of questions and listen closely to the responses. In the best case scenario, you’ll find a provider who will be the ideal partner for many years to come.

Friday, August 5, 2016

Five Benefits of an Open MRI



A closed cylindrical MRI scanner provides crisp images in the right situation. There are also situations when an open MRI system can produce the same or superior images when a closed system is not a viable option. Whether your facility is purchasing its first MRI scanner or replacing its existing medical imaging equipment, a Hitachi open MRI can provide several advantages. Here are just five of the many benefits that an open MRI has to offer over closed scanners.

1. Less Expensive - An open-system scanner is generally less expensive than a closed-bore scanner because the design is simpler, cryogen-free and more compact. The engineering, installation and transportation costs for an open MRI are usually less expensive as well. A facility can reduce its cost further by purchasing a certified previously owned MRI scanner instead of buying a new piece of equipment.

2. Lower Maintenance Costs - Another advantage of open systems is that they typically have lower maintenance costs because the devices have fixed magnets. Closed scanners often require considerable routine maintenance and service, such as monitoring and filling the cryogen system, replacing the cold head and maintaining the chiller. As a result, the maintenance costs associated with an open MRI scanner can be as much as 50 percent less than a closed MRI scanner.

3. Less Noisy - Open MRI scanners are quieter than closed scanners. Loud noises generated by a closed system can make patients uncomfortable. In some cases, the noise can damage hearing, which means that the patient must wear earplugs to protect their hearing during the examination. This precaution is not required with an open scanner. Some patients may have metallic implants from a previous surgical procedure that can reduce the quality of the image generated by a closed scanner. The lower field strength of an open MRI scanner produces less distortion. The changing magnetic fields of a closed MRI can also generate heat within the metal implants as well as the ink of a tattoo, which may cause patient discomfort. The design and lower magnetic field strength of an open MRI typically prevents this thermal effect.

4. Greater Accuracy - The open design also enables critical body parts to be positioned near the center of the magnet for greater accuracy. This can eliminate the need to use chemical contrasting agents. The image is also less likely to be distorted by a patient’s movement. The configuration of a closed MRI does not necessarily allow all body parts to be in the best position possible. Some open-system MRI models offer higher field strength for greater contrast between various types of body tissue, which can make it easier to provide an accurate diagnosis.

5. Ability to Increase Patient Volume - An open system can increase patient volume because it can accommodate existing patients as well as those unable to use a closed scanner. These include individuals who may become claustrophobic inside a closed MRI and patients who are too large to fit inside the equipment. The open sides of the scanner enable the patient to see around the room and receive reassurance from family, friends and medical staff during the examination. As a result, the open system improves the patient’s quality of care. Improving patient care and comfort provides the opportunity to gain more referrals for your medical facility than it previously received, which increases your visibility. An increase in scan volume can lead to the organic business growth of your practice.