Nine side-by-side comparisons of MRI scans completed before and after using SwiftMR AI technology


Smarter Scans for a Better Output


How First Choice Imaging created a 50% boost in MRI scan volume by leveraging innovative AI-based software on existing technology. 


First Choice Imaging runs three imaging centers in Utah. Their Chief Operating Officer, Jeremy Bennet, couldn’t be more thrilled about the decision to add SwiftMR software to their company’s processes.  


Strategy Meets Medical Scanning Reality 

According to Bennet, First Choice’s strategy is to charge less than hospitals for an MRI scan and also be able to schedule patients faster. The addition of SwiftMR software has had the tangible benefit of allowing them to see more patients in a day, while also delivering an overall better MRI scan experience. 



“We used to schedule patients every 40 minutes for the average MRI scan. The scan itself might only take 20 minutes, but that all changed with SwiftMR software. Now we try to schedule patients every 20 minutes and the average scan time is down from 20 to just 10 minutes” Bennet reports. 


Swift Medical Imaging System Benefits 

There’s a lot of discussion about artificial intelligence and its future potential, but SwiftMR’s software is delivering significant AI benefits today. Speeding up the scan degrades image quality, but the software is able to add clarity and detail to an accelerated scan.  


Decreasing the scan's duration reduces the resolution of the scan. The result can appear grainy with lots of noise in the image, but SwiftMR upscales the resolution using software that has the acquired knowledge from analyzing upwards of three million clinical scans. The result is a shorter scan duration with greater detail and less patient movement than you might see from a longer scan. 



Three comparison images using the Swift MR scanning process. Left to right: A conventional scan done in 120 seconds, a sped up burier scan done in 60 seconds, and a SwiftMR scan done in 60 seconds that is a clearer scan than the other two.
 Comparison images using the SwiftMR scanning process



“If I want to use GE or Siemen’s AI on an existing system, I have to upgrade the entire system. That’s a big deal that requires upgrading the computer and power supply and will cost us upwards of half a million dollars. Instead, SwiftMR is third party software that requires no upgrades at all,” says Bennet. 


Extending the Technological Lifespan of MRI Imaging Equipment

First Choice Imaging positions itself as the low-price leader in the state of Utah. In fact, they believe that their pricing for an MRI scan is lower than 70% of the average US facility. This factor makes it difficult to justify purchasing new equipment that can cost north of $1.5 million. Instead, First Choice has relied on MXR Imaging to refurbish its MRI units at a fraction of the cost of purchasing new equipment. 

“I’ve been working with MXR since 2019 and when I buy a refurbished unit, I know they will have responsibility for keeping it working and online,” says Jeremy. “There are certainly some specialty scans that require newer MRI models, but for our business the refurbished units plus SwiftMR are perfect for the bulk of our business and help us keep our pricing down.” 


Results that Speak Volumes 

As a result of using SwiftMR, First Choice has seen patient satisfaction increase by making more appointments available every day plus shorter scan durations to make it easier for patients. First Choice has averaged an additional 7 daily scans with Swift MR software. To put the aforementioned number into perspective, that’s an average increase of 2,555 MRI scans per year. At the latter pace, the added annual cost of the software gets paid back within a matter of weeks. 

Your patients who experience MRI induced anxiety and claustrophobia will be especially grateful for your upgrade. SwiftMR works on any brand, any age unit, or model. In terms of patients, who wouldn't love a faster open MRI?  
 


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