A new MRI suite at New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s Orthopedic Hospital has been installed “to provide patients a more comfortable and soothing experience,” according to a hospital system news release.

The GE Caring MR Suite allows patients to select a favorite visual theme, ambient light color and music “to create a more personalized experience during a procedure,” the release said.

An MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is used to create detailed pictures of organs, tissue and skeletal systems to help diagnose a condition or problem. 

The Caring MR Suite uses new technology to provide a larger entry area to help ease apprehension for those with claustrophobia, special table cushions to alleviate pressure points and allows patients to enter the machine feet first to reduce anxiety.

“Patients now have the ability to customize their MRI experience so they are more comfortable, which can result in less sedation, fewer failed scans and less movement during a scan, which provides a better quality image,” Michael Fisher, radiologist for Delaney Radiology, said in the news release.

Doctors from Delaney Radiology read and interpret NHRMC imaging and diagnostic scans.