New MRI scanner
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 10, 2004 2:01 PM
Wayne Memorial Hospital has received conditional approval from the state for a second MRI scanner.
William Paugh, hospital president, told the board of directors today that the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services approved the request for a certificate of need. Wayne MRI, a joint venture between the hospital and Wayne Imaging, was one of two local groups that petitioned the state in the fall. The proposal said the group would transfer ownership of the hospital's MRI scanner to the new company and acquire a second scanner that would be owned by the joint venture.
Paugh said that there is an appeals process before the announcement is official. The deadline for appeal is Feb. 27.
The other application received for the certificate was Southeastern Diagnostic Imaging, a physician group that is not currently in operation but would be established to provide services if approved by the state.
Amy Cain, public relations director for Wayne Memorial, said the plan by Wayne MRI calls for additions to be made to the hospital to allow the MRIs to be done under one roof. She estimated the process could be complete in a year.