2025 Newsletter

A medical equipment planning leader in the healthcare industry for 27 years

Meet our Newest Members! There have been a few additions to the Walsh team!

Julia Cleveland RN, BSN, OCN Associate Consultant January 2022

Jessica Lenhart Project Coordinator June 2021

Michelle Pinnella Procurement Coordinator June 2021

Neil Spidle BIM Coordinator July 2022

Healthcare Technology

Helium-Free MRI Systems and Trends In 2018,  a helium-free MRI cooling system became available for a 1.5 T MRI system. Now a major imaging company is in final development of a helium-free cooling system for the higher strength 3T MRI, riding the trend of many facilities currently transitioning to 3T. This breakthrough to a fully-sealed system still uses helium as the magnet’s cryogenic cooler, but in extremely lower amounts (< 0.5% than previous traditional systems) with no boil off of helium.

Significant architectural implications and substantial cost reductions include: Reducing the overall cost of an MRI system Lowering maintenance costs by eliminating the need for supercooling, continuous liquid helium and helium transfers Diminishing the cost of and dependency on helium, a nonrenewable source in short supply Decreasing planning, construction and installation costs as a vent or quench stack is not needed to dissipate the heat from helium boil off or “quenching” emergency expulsion of heat Providing the option to locate MRIs anywhere in a facility as there is no need to site the magnet based on the need for outside venting Reducing excessive floor support as the newer systems are considerably lighter       Other MRI trends include growth in the smaller market for both the very low-field strength, portable MRI systems that require less structure as well as with the high strength (7 Tesla) MRI systems which require additional needs. With MRI software advancing with compressed sensing or a more efficient method for acquiring and reconstructing signals, scans are faster making MRI more cost efficient.    With more vendors entering the market and advances in technology, MRI’s future sees a greater demand and broader use.

Walsh Technology     Our cloud based, state-of-the-art proprietary medical equipment planning system and punch list app were launched in 2021. Recent innovative updates allow for improved efficiency in the planning process, flexible reporting tools, enhanced procurement tools, and simplified live data access for clients. Our planning system has also been enhanced to collaborate with and support our BIM services. Our Revit family files are directly integrated into our planning system for easy export and increased productivity and accuracy. If you are interested in learning more, please let us know.

Recent Project Openings

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center A new 330,000 sq.ft. Critical Care Building expanded the Cincinnati Children's Hospital campus adding 225 Private Rooms and included Emergency Department, Complex Airway, PICU, NICU, Bone Marrow Transplant, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Pharmacy, and Central Sterile Processing. The Hospital ranks among the top 3 Children's Hospitals in the nation and #1 in the Midwest.

UI Health Outpatient Surgery Center & Specialty Clinics The University of Illinois expanded their UI Health Hospital Campus in Chicago Illinois with a 6-story Outpatient Surgery Center & Specially Clinics addition. The 200,000 sq.ft. building includes 8 Operating Rooms, 8 GI Procedure Rooms, 48 Prep/Recovery Beds, Medical Imaging (PET/CT and MRI), and Pharmacy. The Grand opening took place in September 2022.

University of Virginia Health Musculoskeletal Center The University of Virginia relocated their outpatient orthopedic services to a new comprehensive Musculoskeletal Center at the Ivy Mountain Site. The 200,000 sq.ft. 4-story building included clinical services for Prosthetics & Orthotics, Sports Medicine, and Hand Therapy along with a Physical Therapy Suite with Gym and Hydrotherapy Room and Outpatient Imaging and Surgical Suites.

Northwestern Medicine - Sherman Plaza Medical Office Building Northwestern expanded their ambulatory services within the Evanston community with a new multi-specialty clinic in Sherman Plaza. The project includes an Immediate Care Center, Diagnostic Imaging, Lab, and Specialty Clinics which consists of Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Cardio, OB/Gynecology, GI/Neuro, ENT/Audiology, and Vision Center.