Patient experience is a crucial factor for the successful operation of a radiology department. To that end, Herlev Gentofte University Hospital (Herlev, Denmark ) has added the Ambient Experience In-bore Connect solution to its Ingenia 3.0T system. Patients are positive about the experience and the MRI staff sees that these features help calm patients – reducing motion-related problems and providing excellent images.
Herlev Gentofte University Hospital is very clear on the importance it places in creating a positive patient experience. They are trying to move away from being a “disease repair shop” towards the notion of being a ‘temple of health’ as Chairman of the Department of Radiology Michel Nèmery would say.
Having this clear vision of a good patient experience, Herlev Hospital acquired the differentiating Philips Ambient Experience In-bore Connect solution to help improve department efficiency.
Philips assisted in the installation and implementation of a full Ambient Experience, with In-bore Connect, to enhance their Ingenia 3.0T imaging suite. In the time it has been in use, data shows a significantly reduced number of interrupted scans, higher throughput rates and an overall more positive patient experience.
Ambient Experience integrates dynamic lighting, sound and video to create an engaging environment designed to ease patient stress.
It begins in the preparation room, where MRI patients design their own scan experience. Via an iPad mounted on the wall, patients can choose an Ambient Experience theme for their exam. This immediately transforms the room. When patients have to be scanned headfirst, In-bore Connect continues the selected theme—with both audio and video—into the bore, to help patients remain calm and compliant.
Most importantly, feeling relaxed helps patients lie still during the scanning, which helps reduce motion in images.
Five months after the installation of the Ambient Experience with In-bore Connect, Dr. Nèmery and his team conducted a survey of patients who were scanned using In-bore Connect. Herlev Gentofte University Hospital reports significant improvements to their patient care environment and scanner throughput.
Staff members feel good about doing their jobs in the engaging and relaxing environment that Ambient Experience fosters. The department’s patient’s satisfaction has made notable improvements, with 90% of patients reporting a better to much better comfort level when comparing the number of interrupted examinations before and after installation of the In-bore Connect solution and between the hospital’s six other scanners. This data shows a significant reduction of interrupted exams from the Ingenia 3.0T scanner with Ambient Experience In-bore Connect.
If we manage to reduce patient motion with In-bore Connect, we also reduce repeat scans, waiting times, rescheduling and staff overtime. It helps us be more efficient while getting the high-quality images we need
Enhancing the MRI experience for patients and staff
Explore the benefits of Philips Ambient Experience in MRI – an evidence-based, people-centric design, transforming the care environment.