Imaging and Radiology

How to prepare?

Significant safety issues and artifact errors arise from certain types of metal used in clothing materials. Businesses aren’t obligated to reveal the material used in clothing if it is only 5% or less. As a result, Jefferson Healthcare asks all MRI patients to change into appropriate attire in order to ensure everyone’s safety. Patients will be asked to remove jewelry, watches, hairpins, bobby pins, hearing aids, all electronics, and wallets. In addition, patients may be asked to not eat or drink anything prior to the exam, depending on the procedure being performed. 

The technologist will ask a series of questions before the procedure; please let them know if you have had any:

• Surgeries
• Pacemaker
• Aneurysm clips
• Cochlear implants
• Neurostimulators
• Grinding metal in eyes
• Implanted drug infusion devices
• Shrapnel or bullets in the body
• Metallic items, including plates, pins, screws, or other implants
• IUD
• Any other surgeries or implants

If you think you might be pregnant or claustrophobic, notify your technologist. If you think you are claustrophobic, ask your doctor’s office prior to your exam to see if medication may be beneficial to help you relax for your exam.

Getting your results

Imaging reports will be released to MyChart and the ordering provider typically between 24 and 72 hours after the study. Depending on the ordering provider, results may be given verbally over the phone or at an in-clinic appointment.

How to prepare?

Your healthcare provider will tell you everything you need to know about CT scan preparation. Here are some general guidelines:

• Plan to arrive early. Your provider will tell you when to come to your appointment.
• Diet restrictions: Do not eat solid foods in the four hours leading up to your CT scan. Consuming only clear liquids in the four hours prior to your CT scan helps prevent nausea when you receive the contrast. Ask your doctor if you’re able to eat in the four hours prior to your CT scan. You may be able to have broth, tea, or black coffee. You may also be able to have strained fruit juices, plain gelatin, and clear soft drinks (like ginger ale).
• Wear comfortable clothes and remove any metal jewelry or clothing. Your provider may give you a hospital gown to wear.
• Blood test: You might need a blood test before your CT scan. This will help your healthcare provider ensure the contrast material is safe to use.
• Allergy medication: If you’re allergic to the contrast agent used for CT (which contains iodine), you may need to take steroid and antihistamine medications the night before and the morning of your procedure. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider and have them order these medications if needed. (Contrast agents for MRI and CT are different. Being allergic to one doesn’t mean you’re allergic to the other.)
• Preparation solution: Drink the oral contrast solution exactly as directed.

What happens after the exam?

It usually takes 24 to 48 hours to get the results of a CT scan. A radiologist will review your scan and prepare a report that explains the findings. Once a radiologist and your healthcare provider have reviewed the results, you’ll have another appointment or receive a call to discuss the results.

Getting your results

Imaging reports will be released to MyChart and the ordering provider typically between 24 and 72 hours after the study. Depending on the ordering provider, results may be given verbally over the phone or at an in-clinic appointment.

How to prepare?

Before scheduling a mammogram, the American Cancer Society (ACS) and other specialty organizations recommend that patients discuss any new findings or problems in their breasts with their provider. In addition, it’s integral for all patients to inform them of any prior surgeries, hormone use, and family or personal history of breast cancer.

It is best not to schedule a mammogram for the week before a menstrual period if breasts are usually tender during this time. The best time for a mammogram is one week following a period. Always inform a doctor or X-ray technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant. Also, consult your provider if you’re currently breastfeeding to determine the best path forward with the mammogram.

The ACS also recommends:

• Avoid wearing deodorant, talcum powder, or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam. These can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.
• Describe any breast symptoms or problems to the technologist performing the exam.
• Obtain any prior mammograms and make them available to the radiologist if done at a different location. 
• Ask when your results will be available; do not assume the results are normal if you do not hear from your doctor or the mammography facility.

Getting Your Results

Imaging reports will be released to MyChart and the ordering provider typically between 24 and 72 hours after the study. Depending on the ordering provider, results may be given verbally over the phone or at an in-clinic appointment.

To avoid delay or rescheduling of your mammogram:

Call to schedule 8 – 10 weeks before you are due for your routine screening mammogram. This will help you to stay on schedule, as we are often scheduling several months out. 

If you have breast symptoms, please see your provider before coming in for a screening mammogram. They will be able to determine if you need diagnostic imaging. If you arrive for a screening mammogram with breast symptoms, your exam will need to be rescheduled for a diagnostic exam after you have seen your provider. This is to ensure that you are receiving the best possible exam for your symptoms.

How to Prepare?

Depending on the exam, there may be specific eating or drinking restrictions.

Getting Your Results 

Results to MyChart in 1 – 2 days or at your next follow-up appointment.

How to Prepare?

Different nuclear medicine tests have different preparation instructions. Be sure to take note of the instructions you’re given, as they are often vital to the accuracy of your test.

Why are there so many appointments listed in MyChart for this one procedure?

Many nuclear medicine tests require at least two appointments on the same day or sometimes even the next day. Separate appointments are made for injection and imaging portions to allow proper tracer absorption in your body.

After the Scan

After the exam, it’s extremely important to drink plenty of liquids to help get the radioactive tracer out of your body. There are no additional precautions unless otherwise instructed by the technologist after your exam.

Follow up with your provider to go over your results.

Risks

Extra precautions need to be taken if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Otherwise, there are very few inherent risks to having a nuclear medicine exam done. The amount of radiation used is very low and is strictly controlled and monitored, and the radiation exposure to your body is very similar to that of a CT scan. The radioactive tracer will rapidly decay away on its own, and your body will naturally rid itself of it at the same time.

The benefits of a nuclear medicine study to diagnose a potentially serious condition usually outweigh concerns regarding radiation or other rare side effects. 

Getting Your Results

Imaging reports will be released to MyChart and the ordering provider typically 24 – 72 hours after the study. Depending on the ordering provider, results may be given verbally over the phone or at an in-clinic appointment.

How do I prepare for my ultrasound?

Most ultrasound exams require no preparation. However, there are a few exceptions:

For some scans, such as a gallbladder ultrasound, your care provider may ask that you not eat or drink for a certain period of time before the exam.

Others, such as a pelvic ultrasound, may require a full bladder. Your doctor (our schedulers) will tell you how much water you must drink before the exam. Do not urinate until the exam is done.

Young children may need additional preparation. When scheduling an ultrasound for yourself or your child, ask your doctor if there are any specific instructions you’ll need to follow.

Wear loose clothing to your ultrasound appointment. You may be asked to remove jewelry during your ultrasound, so it’s a good idea to leave any valuables at home.

Getting Your Results

Imaging reports will be released to MyChart and the ordering provider typically 24 – 72 hours after the study. Depending on the ordering provider, results may be given verbally over the phone or at an in-clinic appointment.

Vascular:
Pacific Vascular does our vascular ultrasounds. For more information, you may visit their website, https://pacificvascular.com/ 

How should I prepare for an X-ray?

X-rays don’t require any preparation. 

Getting results

There should be a MyChart update or follow-up appointment, depending on the ordering doctor, in 1 – 2 days.

How do I prepare for my echo?

Echo generally requires minimal preparation. Patients don’t need to avoid eating or drinking before a transthoracic echo. There are also no medication or clothing restrictions.

Getting your results

Imaging reports will be released to MyChart and the ordering provider typically 24 – 72 hours after the study. Depending on the ordering provider, results may be given verbally over the phone or at an in-clinic appointment.

How do I prepare for my stress test?

Depending on the type of stress test, your prep instructions will vary. It’s almost always best to wear comfortable clothes — suitable for exercise — and walking shoes. You may also be asked to hold-off on some medications and forgo caffeine and breakfast. Specifics will be listed at the time of scheduling.

Getting Your Results

Formal imaging reports will be released to MyChart and the ordering provider typically 24 – 72 hours after the study. Depending on the ordering provider, results may be given verbally over the phone or at an in-clinic appointment.