Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) recently announced the launch of MRI Care Pathway, a system for streamlining the MRI scanning process.
MRI Care Pathway works with Medtronic MRI-compatible cardiac devices. The company said in a news release that 50%-70% of patients with a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) require an MRI during their lifetime. However, they experience cancellations and delays. This comes as a result of the workload burden and expense associated with device checks prior to MRI scans.
“While this technology has offered a huge improvement to my clinical workflow, its impact on my patients’ experiences when getting an MRI has been more important,” said Dr. Peter Robertson, electrophysiologist at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. “It allows rapid assurance at the time of the MRI that the scan can be completed safely. The patients can be confident they’re getting the right care, at the right time, and at an imaging center prepared to provide correct care for their device.”
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More about the Medtronic MRI Care Pathway
The MRI Care Pathway features a website and tablet-based application. It holds FDA approval and is commercially available in the U.S.
Healthcare providers can use these to reduce potential scheduling delays during the MRI scan workflow. The app features built-in safety features to alert MR technologists if they can’t safely perform an MRI scan.
Clinicians can use the website to independently verify whether a patient’s Medtronic device has MRI compatibility. If so, the care team can immediately schedule the patient’s MRI appointment. At the appointment, the MR technologist can use the app to automatically set the appropriate device parameters for a safe scan. Following the scan, the technologist can use the app to return the patient to their cardiac device’s pre-scan settings.
Medtronic said this allows for increased flexibility and efficiency for timely patient access to MRI scans. The app’s compatibility includes the Medtronic portfolio of SureScan devices. That features pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization devices, ICDs and insertable cardiac monitor systems.
“Medtronic’s MRI Care Pathway is user-friendly and supports MR technologists in quickly conducting safe MRI scans for patients with Medtronic cardiac devices, which can ultimately reduce a patient’s time waiting for important imaging data,” said Jim Vogl, VP of patient care systems in the Cardiac Rhythm Management unit at Medtronic. “It empowers clinicians and patients to focus on the care they need, the moment they need it.”
