Bermuda Healthcare Services has opened its doors to showcase a new state-of-the-art MRI machine, technology that doctors say will significantly enhance diagnostic capabilities on the island.
TNN News attended today’s open house and spoke with Dr. Ewart Brown, who described the new MRI scanner as an extraordinary advancement in medical imaging.
“It is an amazing piece of equipment. It really is,” Dr. Brown said.
Dr. Brown said he was particularly impressed by the clarity, sharpness and resolution of the images produced by the scanner.
He recalled a presentation held for doctors the previous evening, saying the technology demonstrated how detailed the scans can be.
“It looked as though there was a camera inside the patient’s knee,” Dr. Brown explained. “It showed all of the structures, and if you had anything wrong with that knee, you would see it on the MRI.”
According to Dr. Brown, only a small number of these advanced scanners are currently operating worldwide.
He said the technology can help physicians narrow down a diagnosis and, in some circumstances, assist in making the diagnosis itself.
“We’re happy to introduce this to Bermuda,” he said.
Dr. Brown also reflected on his long career in healthcare and his history of introducing medical technology to Bermuda.
He recalled that the first major piece of equipment he introduced to Bermuda was a mammography machine in 1992.
“And this one is probably the last one that I’m going to do,” Dr. Brown said.
While acknowledging that the new MRI represents a major investment, Dr. Brown said he believes Bermudians should have access to the latest medical technology without having to travel overseas for every type of care.
“I believe that Bermudians deserve the benefit of the latest technology and should not have to travel for every kind of care that they need,” he said.
Physician Referral Required
Dr. Brown confirmed that patients will continue to require a physician referral to undergo an MRI examination.
He stressed that MRI scans should be ordered when a doctor believes the examination can provide meaningful insight into a patient’s condition.
“We’ve always done that,” he said. “It’s not good for a patient to self-refer for an MRI.”
Dr. Brown said the facility is already facing significant demand, with a backlog of hundreds of patients who have been waiting for MRI services.
“We’re going to be extremely busy,” he said. “We have a backlog of hundreds, literally hundreds of patients who have been waiting, and now we’re ready to start.”
He said Bermuda Healthcare Services intends to remain open as late as possible in an effort to accommodate as many patients as possible.
Images Sent to Lahey Clinic
Another key component of the service will be the interpretation of MRI images.
Dr. Brown confirmed that, as with the facility’s existing arrangement, images will be transmitted to Lahey Clinic in Boston, where they can be reviewed by specialist radiologists.
He said Lahey’s radiology department has more than 80 radiologists specializing in different areas of the body.
Dr. Brown described the reporting arrangement as critical, noting that obtaining the MRI scan is only one part of the process.
“We consider that to be extremely critical in terms of getting the study, it being one thing, and getting it interpreted and reported as another,” he said.
Technology and Dementia Diagnosis
Dr. Brown also revealed that discussions are underway with specialists from Lahey regarding another potential application of the new technology — the assessment of dementia.
He said the equipment is capable of providing information not only about changes in the brain associated with dementia, but also potentially helping physicians determine the stage of the condition.
“This equipment is capable of not just diagnosing the brain that is affected by dementia, but also staging it to know what stage it is at,” Dr. Brown said.
He described that capability as particularly important given the growing focus on dementia.
Dr. Brown said specialists from Lahey are also expected to visit Bermuda in connection with the new technology and its applications.
For Bermuda Healthcare Services, the launch represents another major investment in local healthcare and an effort to expand access to advanced diagnostic technology without patients having to leave the island.
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