FARMINGTON — Franklin Memorial Hospital has been awarded a three-year accreditation in magnetic resonance imaging after a recent review by the American College of Radiology.

MRI is a noninvasive medical test that uses magnetic fields to produce anatomical images of internal body parts, to help physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

Franklin Memorial Hospital technologist Diana Pelletier with a patient in the private, open space in the MRI scanner.

The gold seal of accreditation from the American College of Radiology represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting the group’s practice guidelines and technical standards after a peer review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field.

Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the American College of Radiology Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the organization with a comprehensive report it can use for continuous practice improvement.

The hospital’s two-year-old scanner features advanced technology to improve patients’ experiences by operating with less noise, decreasing feelings of claustrophobia and accommodating heavier patients up to 500 pounds. In addition, patients choose their favorite nature video to view, lighting hue and music during the procedure to create a soothing environment.

The American College of Radiology is a national professional organization serving its members with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.