Petersburg Medical Center receives state approval for MRI service

Petersburg Medical Center received state certificate-of-need approval to establish MRI services, expanding diagnostic capabilities available in the community.

The approval allows PMC to move forward with offering MRI as a new service line to Petersburg. The hospital's imaging department is preparing for implementation with a lead time of 30 to 45 days to secure a contractor and develop appropriate processes.

Phil Hofstadter, PMC's chief executive officer, said the state approved the certificate of need. The approval gives the hospital the green light to move forward on the MRI and provide the new service line to Petersburg.

The MRI unit will be housed in the recently completed Work Building, part of PMC's broader facility expansion efforts. The approval follows years of planning and construction.

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

Alaska's certificate of need program requires health facilities to obtain state approval before establishing new service lines or expanding capacity. PMC's application documented plans to add a 1.5-tesla Siemens MRI unit as part of an 18,900-square-foot medical office building, with 1,329 square feet dedicated to MRI space.

The hospital must now submit additional paperwork to Medicare following the state approval. PMC's imaging department is working to bring the equipment online and establish operational protocols, including securing a contractor to come on site.

The Work Building, which houses the planned MRI space, is nearing full operational status. PMC is finalizing technology setup for a community conference room and education space within the facility. The hospital is offering the conference room to community groups and plans to make information about availability accessible through its website.