Petersburg Medical Center receives state approval for MRI service

Petersburg Medical Center received state approval to offer MRI scans, a diagnostic service the hospital has pursued for years.

The certificate of need from Alaska allows PMC to move forward with the new imaging service. The hospital expects to bring the MRI online within 30 to 45 days once it secures a contractor and sets up operational protocols. Phil Hofstadter, PMC's chief executive officer, said the state approved the certificate of need. The approval gives the hospital the green light to provide MRI services to Petersburg.

The MRI unit will be housed in the recently completed Work Building, part of PMC's broader facility expansion. The hospital plans to install a 1.5-tesla Siemens unit in 1,329 square feet of dedicated space. Alaska's certificate of need program requires health facilities to obtain state approval before establishing new service lines. PMC must now submit additional paperwork to Medicare to complete the approval process.

Marlene Cushing, a board member, congratulated the hospital on clearing the regulatory hurdle. She called it another big hurdle.

The Work Building is nearing full operational status. PMC is finalizing technology setup for a community conference room and education space within the facility, which the hospital plans to make available to community groups.