CHRISTUS Health becomes first in region to use portable MRI for bedside imaging

In a major advancement for bedside care, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital has become the first hospital in Northeast Texas to acquire and implement a portable MRI, a cutting-edge innovation that brings advanced imaging to the patient’s bedside.

The Swoop system is a portable MRI for the brain that eliminates the need to transport critically ill or immobile patients, oftentimes across multiple floors, to traditional imaging suites.

CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital is the first in Texas and one of the first nationally to have the latest model of portable MRI, according to Hyperfine, maker of Swoop.

“We are also going to be able to use this in settings that we have never been able to do before, certainly at the bedside and even theoretically in the operating room,” said Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mark Anderson. “It is a disruptive technology that will reduce length of stay, reduce the cost of care and improve the quality of patient care.”

Anderson said the portable MRI can also be used on children, allowing parents to be present with the child during the imaging process.

Inside the patient room, the portable MRI is placed at the top of the bed with the patient’s head being gently placed into the imaging receiver.

“This will save so much time and effort by not having to move entire beds and support systems,” said Samantha Mullens, director of radiology.

MRI results are uploaded in real-time to the appropriate staff, accelerating diagnosis and treatment for time-sensitive conditions.

The portable MRI will be used on patients beginning this week, starting in neurology.

“It allows us to make medical decisions much quicker and give a much better overall patient experience,” said Jennifer Burwell, stroke program manager. “The sooner we really know what is going on in the brain, the sooner we can take action and get started on recovery.”

CHRISTUS Health has also secured a second system that will be deployed at the soon-to-be-opened emergency hospital in Palestine. That facility is expected to open to the public later this year or in early 2026.

The portable MRI units were funded through generous philanthropic support from the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation, whose commitment to innovation continues to drive transformative care throughout the hospital system.

“Everything about this technology has the patient in mind and reinforces our commitment to providing the latest technology for everyone we care for,” Mullens said.