Abbotsford Regional Hospital to receive $4.95M MRI upgrade

Patients in the Fraser Valley will soon benefit from faster scanning times and enhanced imaging capabilities as Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre undergoes a $4.95 million MRI upgrade.

The hospital's existing MRI scanner, which has exceeded its expected lifespan, will be stripped down to its magnet and completely refurbished with state-of-the-art components. A mobile MRI unit will remain on site throughout construction to ensure patients continue to have access to imaging services.

"This is an important step forward in ensuring that the Fraser Valley community continues to receive timely, high-quality care," said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health, in a statement. "With approximately 8,000 MRI scans conducted at Abbotsford Regional Hospital last year, we are providing state-of-the-art technology to help reduce wait times and improve access to life-saving imaging for residents of the Fraser Valley."

The refurbishment approach allows Fraser Health to maintain the existing magnet—the most critical and expensive component of an MRI scanner—while replacing all surrounding physical components with the latest technology.

"The existing MRI has exceeded its lifespan," explained Kevin Enns, executive director of Medical Imaging at Fraser Health. "The refurbishment option allows us to maintain the existing magnet, the most critical component of the MRI scanner, while surrounding it with the latest components to bring it up to top standard in the industry."

From an environmental perspective, keeping the magnet rather than replacing is intentional. Like renovating a house, the foundation, in this case the magnet, remains in place while the physical components of the machine are replaced and the MRI suite is renovated, according to Fraser Health.

The new scanner, a Signa Artist 1.5 EVO MR30, will incorporate artificial intelligence, advanced coils, and upgraded software to produce clearer, more detailed images, particularly for challenging anatomies. The unit can perform some exams up to 50 percent faster than the current scanner and is meant to operate more quietly, helping to reduce anxiety for claustrophobic patients or those with cognitive impairments.

Additional patient-friendly features include feet-first or head-first entry options, tilting capabilities for better head and neck positioning, and a larger bore size to accommodate patients of different sizes.

The Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation partnered with The Crystal Gala Foundation on the project, with the latter raising $1 million toward the upgrade.

"It is imperative that we have advanced technology and uninterrupted access to MRI services in the Fraser Valley," said Liz Harris, executive director of the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.

MRI technology plays a crucial role in detecting abnormalities of the brain and spine, as well as tumours, cysts and soft-tissue injuries throughout the body. It is particularly valuable for detecting cancers in the breast, brain, abdomen, prostate and lymph nodes, along with cardiac and neurological diseases.

The modernized MRI is expected to be operational in 2026.