November 21, 2017

3T MRI renovation by M&CA brings first GE SIGNA™ Architect MRI to Illinois at Edward Hospital

NAPERVILLE, IL—This past fall Matthei & Colin Associates completed a 3T MRI renovation that made Edward Hospital the first hospital in Illinois and second hospital in the Midwest to have a GE SIGNA™ Architect MRI—the first silent MRI in the world. Because all patients can be imaged either feet or head first it allows for a better patient experience by increasing overall comfort and drastically lowering patient anxiety. The MRI’s will be able to take detailed images of the smallest structures like finger joints and internal organs. The project included the relocation of the existing Nuclear Medicine Department to house two 3T MRI’s including the equipment rooms, changing areas, and prep/holding space. To bring the new MRI magnets into the hospital, temporary work had to be performed including the shoring of existing floors and removal/replacement of certain walls and doors. The magnets, each weighing 18,000 lbs., needed special rigging and moving equipment to accommodate their installation.

Edward Hospital is a part of Edward-Elmhurst Health, one of the larger integrated health systems in the state of Illinois. Edward-Elmhurst Health is comprised of three hospitals—Edward, Elmhurst and Linden Oaks Behavioral Health. With annual revenues of more than $1 billion and over 50 outpatient locations across a service area of 1.7 million residents, the system employs nearly 7,500 and has more than 1,900 physicians on staff. In 2005, Edward became the first hospital serving DuPage and Will counties to earn Magnet Recognition®, the ultimate credential for excellence in nursing. Edward was re-designated as a Magnet hospital in 2010 and 2014. It was also named a Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospital (2016) in the nation by Truven Analytics, as well as ranked among the top 5 percent in the nation (2014 and 2015) by Healthgrades for overall cardiac services.

Matthei & Colin Associates, LLC (M&CA) has specialized in the planning and design of health care environments since 1974. Through the passion of our creative effort, we have emerged today as one of the nation’s few firms exclusively committed to health care architecture. Our singular focus on designing and creating health care environments and our productive client partnerships result in highly individualized planning recommendations to address the requirements of each project.

For more information:
Randall R. Bacidore, Principal Matthei & Colin Associates, LLC
1.312.939.4002 l l RandallB@mca-architecture.com