Sidra Medicine recently activated an intra-operative imaging suite – the Interventional-MRI-Surgery Suite, also known as IMRIS; creating a step change in the role radiology and interventional radiology play in successful patient outcomes. 

The IMRIS hybrid operating theatre features intraoperative imaging capabilities, including a moveable intraoperative MRI and capacity to run highly complex interventions. 
Sidra Medicine is the first hospital in Qatar to install an IMRIS suite, which is also a first in the region. The hospital recently performed two highly complex procedures using the latest state-of-the-art diagnostics equipment. 
The radiology department at Sidra Medicine works closely with general paediatrics, paediatric surgery and multiple other sub-specialties such as cardiology and neurosurgery, to provide best-practice care to patients using the IMRIS suite.
Young patients are prepared for the procedure with the help of Sidra Medicine’s Child Life specialists who assist with the diagnostic and interventional steps by meeting with the child and family before the procedure to ensure understanding and comfort.
Dr Ashley Robinson, acting chair of Diagnostic Imaging and Division head of Interventional Radiology at Sidra Medicine said, “Activating the service requires large number of staff from different departments. Our collaboration goes beyond clinical teams to involve the patient and their entire family. From multi-disciplinary discussions among many medical and surgical teams to collaboration with Support Services, Sidra Medicine takes great care to ensure that the hospital visit and stay are as smooth and calm as possible for the child. Very few hospitals around the world are able to collaborate and deliver patient care in this manner, all under one roof.” 
The first two procedures performed in October using the IMRIS suite were on young patients aged seven and eleven years old, with vascular anomalies which can change rapidly progress and are difficult to assess. The highly precise IMRIS technology was able to better define the lesions and help the team at Sidra Medicine to determine progress of the disease with a high degree of accuracy. This in turn guided the best course of treatment for both patients, who are recovering well from the multi-disciplinary care provided by Sidra Medicine.
Only a few weeks following installation of the technology in October 2018, the IMRIS suite has facilitated a decrease in patient wait times by combining multiple procedures in one setting. This has also allowed the team at Sidra Medicine, to ensure the safety of the procedure by performing it under the same general anesthetic and in one space without the need to move the patient.