NYDIC-Open MRI of America was a company that specialized in operating magnetic-resonance imaging facilities in Ohio and the Eastern seaboard. They have since merged with RAMIC Medical Imaging to operate 21 facilities in the US.
In early 2000, The Pizzuti Company asked MCR to expand NYDIC’s local offices by 1,600 square feet. We also added new restrooms, utilities, ceilings and interior finishes. Based on the strength of our initial working relationship, NYDIC sought us out directly for major improvements to their facility in late 2005.
Challenges
High-level Safety & Protection Issues
Because of the extremely powerful magnetic fields created during MRI operations, hi-level safety protocols were required at all phases of construction:
Specialized training required by GE for MCR and our subtrades
Heavy copper shielding installed on walls, floors and ceilings— also shielded outlets & doors
Multi-layered steel shielding to prevent radio interference (FCC)
Removal, then rebuild of 2 walls to permit delivery & installation of the new “sleeper” MRI units
Features
Technical Details and Fine Interior Finish Work for State-of-the-Art Facility
3,680 square foot construction with high-end interior finishes
Complete copper shielding and steel shielding installed around MRI rooms
Heavily-shielded electric outlets
Complete shielding for doors and door frames and “incidental” openings like HVAC and data conduits
Redesigned “breakaway” walls to facilitate future removal of MRI units when the units are updated in the future
3.0T and .35T General Electric MRI units installed, tested and inspected
Magnetics powerful enough “to jerk a passing truck right off the street,” according to GE representatives, but capable of fine diagnostic services in the hands of highly-trained technicians
Results
Updated Equipment & Finishes for the Columbus MRI Center
Despite technical & safety challenges presented by this type of work, MCR was able to coordinate the diverse trades to deliver our “safest, most-inspected and secured project to date.”
The client wrote that “MCR’s devotion to our project [and] organizational skills were key in keeping the project on-schedule, despite unforeseen problems.”
The renovated space is a hi-tech, but calming space for clients and their health care professionals to visit.
