School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Can J Neurol Sci. 2024 May;51(3):387-396. doi: 10.1017/cjn.2023.250. Epub 2023 Jul 12.
To conduct feasibility and cost analysis of portable MRI implementation in a remote setting where MRI access is otherwise unavailable.
Portable MRI (ultra-low field, 0.064T) was installed in Weeneebayko General Hospital, Moose Factory, Ontario. Adult patients, presenting with any indication for neuroimaging, were eligible for study inclusion. Scanning period was from November 14, 2021, to September 6, 2022. Images were sent via a secure PACS network for Neuroradiologist interpretation, available 24/7. Clinical indications, image quality, and report turnaround time were recorded. A cost analysis was conducted from a healthcare system's perspective in 2022 Canadian dollars, comparing cost of portable MRI implementation to transporting patients to a center with fixed MRI.
Portable MRI was successfully implemented in a remote Canadian location. Twenty-five patients received a portable MRI scan. All studies were of diagnostic quality. No clinically significant pathologies were identified on any of the studies. However, based on clinical presentation and limitations of portable MRI resolution, it is estimated that 11 (44%) of patients would require transfer to a center with fixed MRI for further imaging workup. Cost savings were $854,841 based on 50 patients receiving portable MRI over 1 year. Five-year budget impact analysis showed nearly $8 million dollars saved.
Portable MRI implementation in a remote setting is feasible, with significant cost savings compared to fixed MRI. This study may serve as a model to democratize MRI access, offer timely care and improved triaging in remote areas where conventional MRI is unavailable.
在无法获得 MRI 服务的偏远地区，评估便携式 MRI 的可行性和成本分析。
在安大略省穆斯福里特的威尼拜科综合医院安装了便携式 MRI（超低磁场，0.064T）。有任何神经影像学适应证的成年患者符合研究纳入标准。扫描期为 2021 年 11 月 14 日至 2022 年 9 月 6 日。图像通过安全的 PACS 网络发送给神经放射科医生进行 24/7 解读。记录了临床适应证、图像质量和报告周转时间。从医疗保健系统的角度进行了成本分析，比较了在 2022 年加元中实施便携式 MRI 的成本与将患者转运到具有固定 MRI 的中心的成本。
便携式 MRI 在加拿大偏远地区成功实施。共 25 名患者接受了便携式 MRI 扫描。所有研究均具有诊断质量。在任何研究中均未发现有临床意义的病理学。然而，根据临床表现和便携式 MRI 分辨率的限制，估计有 11 名（44%）患者需要转至具有固定 MRI 的中心进行进一步影像学检查。如果在 1 年内有 50 名患者接受便携式 MRI，则可节省 854,841 加元。5 年预算影响分析显示可节省近 800 万美元。
在偏远地区实施便携式 MRI 是可行的，与固定 MRI 相比具有显著的成本节约。这项研究可以作为一种模式，使偏远地区的 MRI 服务普及化，为常规 MRI 无法提供服务的地区提供及时的护理和改进的分诊。
