With the addition of a new audio-video entertainment system at Geisinger-Gray’s Woods Clinic, patients undergoing MRI scans may feel more at ease, and that could help produce more accurate results.
Cinemavision was installed at the Gray’s Woods location about a month ago. It allows patients to view DVD videos and live broadcast television, or listen to music, during a Magnetic Resonance Imaging test. Depending on the complexity of the scan, MRI tests can take anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours. The audio-visual technology has been proven to soothe anxious patients and minimize interruptions caused by claustrophobic patients. That leads to faster scans and reduces the need for re-scans according to a news release by Geisinger.
Judy Robinson, radiology team leader at Geisinger-Gray’s Woods, says patients wear goggles to view videos, and through attached headphones, they can listen to music, as well as communicate via microphone with the radiologists. Robinson believes Cinemavision, “Makes the time go faster.”
Patients have the option to watch sitcoms, movies, documentaries or they can just choose music. Patients can bring their own DVDs to an exam.
Robinson says Geisinger Medical Center in Danville was probably the first Geisinger facility to acquire the technology a few years ago. The other Geisinger center that uses Cinemavision is Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre.
“I know that we’re the only one in the area that has this,” Robinson said. “It was definitely an investment for the patients.”
The technology can only be used for patients lying on their backs during an MRI, Robinson said.
Geisinger Gray’s Woods is located on Abigail Lane in Port Matilda. For more information call (814) 272-7200 or visit www.Geisinger.org.
