Patients

There are a few considerations to be made before and during an MRI procedure. Our patient care specialist will ask you pre-screening questions for your safety. You may eat and drink as you normally would prior to this appointment. Please be sure to wear comfortable clothing with no metal for the appointment. It is also important to remove all metal jewelry.

Before an MRI

Please make sure to alert our staff IMMEDIATELY, if you have any of the following prior or current conditions. Not alerting our staff of these conditions could cause serious medical side effects or death. Your safety is our number one priority - please help us protect it! If you do not have any of these conditions listed below, then you are 100% ready to go with your MRI!

• Have you ever worked with metal either through a job or hobby?
• Do you have a pacemaker or neurostimulator?
• Do you have any shrapnel or bullets internally?
• Are you pregnant?
• Do you have any implants (IUD, drug infusion device, etc)?
• Do you have foreign metal in your eyes?
• Do you have permanent eyeliner? this item.

During an MRI

Our technician will be sure to keep you as comfortable as possible during your MRI. Once the tech has you settled, please lie still for the duration of the procedure. This is a painless method of diagnosis that can last anywhere from forty-five minutes or longer (depending on the number of studies). You will hear a slight knocking noise during your exam. When it is completed, the technician will alert you to go back to the dressing room and finish up with the front desk.

MRI with Contrast

All MRI with contrast require labs that show the BUN and Creatinine levels of the patient as a precautionary/safety measure. You should not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to your exam time. You may take your medications with a small sip of water if needed. You may be asked to not eat solid food for 4 to 8 hours before the examination.  

The preparation for a CT scan will depend on the body part that is being scanned. Please refer to the following in order to appropriately prepare for your specific type of CT scan.

General CT without Contrast

There is no special preparation for the CT without Contrast. We ask that you remove metal jewelry. If you have any questions about acceptable items, please ask our technician!

Abdomen or Pelvic CT without Contrast

• DO NOT EAT OR DRINK anything 4 hours prior to the exam. Clear liquids OK. 
• Non Contrast Diabetic patients may take medication with minimal food/liquid. 
• Contrast patient please call our office for instructions. 
• Two (2) hours prior to your appointment you must drink a Barium Smoothie provided by our clinic. 

CT with Contrast

All CT Scans with contrast require labs that show the BUN and Creatinine levels of the patient as a precautionary/safety measure. As well, it is required for the patient to not eat twelve (12) hours prior to the appointment.

The ultrasound process will take about an hour depending on what body part is being examined. The preparation also varies depending on what part of the body is being examined. Please refer to the following in order to appropriately prepare for your specific type of ultrasound.

Abdomen Ultrasound and Single Organ Ultrasound (Aorta, Kidneys, Renals, etc)

Patient must be NPO (without having water or food) for at least six (6) hours prior to the appointment. If the patient has medication that must be taken, they can do so with clear juice, tea or coffee, but cannot have any type of dairy.

Pelvic Ultrasound

Patient must have a full bladder during the exam. Please drink at least thirty-two (32) ounces of water one (1) hour prior to the appointment.

There is no special preparation required for the following types of ultrasound:

• Thyroid
• Testicals
• Carotid
• Legs - Venous
• Miscellaneous (a bump, mass, nodule, space behind the knee, etc)answer to this item.

There is no special preparation for an X-Ray.  Please check with our facility for days and times of service.