Facility

Diagnostic Imaging Services (DIS) opened in Metairie, Louisiana in 1973. It was originally started by three radiologists and later sold to Tenet Healthcare in 1996. With four free standing ancillary facilities, DIS performs close to 100,000 diagnostic scans per year. These scans include high-field open MRI, Traditional high-field MRI, Multi-slice CT, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, Digital Mammography, Digital Fluoroscopy, Digital x-ray and DEXA. DIS has agreements with the majority of health insurance plans and third party payors. The staff who works for DIS prides itself on the customer service it brings to patients and referring offices everyday.

MR Department

Diagnostic Imaging Services has four MRI units across the four facilities throughout the New Orleans metro area.The Metairie facility just acquired the new Oasis 1.2T high-field open MRI unit in April of 2009. It is currently the only high-field open MRI machine in the Gulf South area. This is just one of many different advanced diagnostic services DIS performs for the individuals who walk through its doors.

Why did you choose Hitachi's High-Field Oasis?

Hitachi has the strongest field strength in a true open MRI architecture along with the latest software technology to maximize the equipment's potential in a patient-friendly atmosphere. Management knew it would provide a more comfortable environment for those patients who are anxious or even claustrophobic. The high-field open technology also shortens scan time and provides increased throughput, while still maintaining image quality for referring physicians. Higher image quality leads to less questions from clinicians and improved confidence. The Oasis also provides more coil selection than traditional low-field open MRI magnets.

How has Oasis impacted your MR department?

DIS has seen an increase in its utilization of capacity on the high-field open MRI magnet by almost 50% when compared to the older mid-field open MRI it previously had working with in its system. DIS has certainly experienced an overall decrease in patients who experience claustrophobia and has been pleased with the increase in servicing Bariatric patients.