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| Media Contacts Mary Jo Wich Lois Kendall 314-525-4005 |
Release Date: 3/13/2009
Fenton Urgent Care Offers Open MRI
Open MRI at Fenton Imaging Center
St. Anthony’s Medical Center now is offering another community-based service that is convenient for residents of Fenton, Sunset Hills, High Ridge, Arnold, Valley Park and the surrounding areas.
St. Anthony’s Fenton Imaging and Outpatient Services, located in the Fenton Urgent Care Center, 714 Gravois Road, recently installed an “open” MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) unit and currently is taking appointments.
“The open MRI is something the community has been asking for,” said Jeff Stevens, director of Outpatient Imaging for St. Anthony’s. “The open MRI is less confining and restrictive than the closed tube, which can be intimidating, especially for people who are claustrophobic. This is a big rectangle, so the patient can stretch out his or her arms and legs without touching the sides of the machine.”
In the past, open MRIs did not afford the same image quality as the closed models, Stevens said. But, in the past five years, the field strength of the open MRIs has improved greatly, insuring that physicians have the image quality they need in order to make the correct diagnosis the first time. The closed MRI still is used for a very detailed study of the heart or when a highly specialized image is needed, Stevens said.
“But, for most imaging, the open MRI is a viable choice; and it’s definitely the technology of choice for most patients,” Stevens said. “Whatever the patient needs, we have it covered – we now have the capability to provide either type of MRI. We have the open experience patients want, with the quality physicians demand.”
St. Anthony’s Fenton Imaging Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. In addition to MRIs, the Fenton Imaging Center offers ultrasound, CT scans and X-rays, and plans to add digital screening mammography this fall. Other services available at the Fenton site include Urgent Care, laboratory services, physical therapy, occupational medicine and physician practices. Fenton Urgent Care is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
Fenton Urgent Care is located at the southwest corner of Highway 141 and Gravois Road, just south of Highway 30. To reach the Urgent Care Center by phone, call 636-326-6120. To make an appointment for imaging services, call 314-525-4250. For more information about imaging options or any other services offered at St. Anthony’s four Urgent Care Centers, click here.
For information, please call our Health Access Line at 314-ANTHONY (268-4669) or 800-554-9550 or visit our find a physician online.
At St. Anthony's, our vision is to be the area's premier health care organization — and your first choice for health care services.