|
MRI SCANNING
Childbearing Age?
Important: If you are a woman of childbearing age (13-50) and there is a chance that you are pregnant, please inform your physician.
Enter The Hospital:
Enter through Baldwin Area Medical Center's main entrance and report to the Patient Registration Desk 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. After registering, you will be directed to the Radiology Department.
WHAT IS MRI (Magnetic Resource Image):
MRI is a way to look inside the body without using x-ray. MRI can produce two- or three-dimensional images of the inside of the body by using a large magnet, radio waves and a computer. The magnet is large enough to surround the patient.
WHY IS MRI IMPORTANT?
It is important because it can lead to early detection and treatment of disease. MRI pictures are extremely precise and doctors can often get as much information from MRI as they would from looking directly at tissue. MRI uses no x-ray, and the magnetic fields are not known to be harmful.
PREPARING FOR A MRI SCAN:
At home: just relax and go about your normal routine. Follow any instructions about eating. For abdominal and pelvis studies, you will be asked not to eat or drink for five hours before the exam. However, you may take any prescribed medication at its proper time. For heart studies, we ask that you abstain from caffeine for five hours before the exam. You may eat; just do not drink coffee, or pop containing caffeine. Bring something to read or do while you wait for your scan.
If your are claustrophobic and are going to be having sedation, plan on someone to drive you home after the scan.
AT THE SCANNING SITE:
You will be asked about your medical history. You will be told about the scanning procedure and you will be asked to sign a consent form.
Please let your physician or the x-ray technologist know before your exam if you are claustrophobic in confined places.
You will remove any metallic objects, such as jewelry, hairpins, glasses, wigs (if it has metal clips) and non-permanent dentures. Do not wear mascara, and ask about other makeup. People with cardiac pacemakers and/or other implanted stimulatory devices cannot have a MRI scan. Others who cannot be scanned are people with some types of metal implants, including some plates, clips, staples or sutures. If you have had brain surgery, you must inform us!
You may change into a hospital smock. You may be injected with a contrast agent. This helps improve the quality of certain MRI images. Young children may be sedated to help them lie still. (Discuss any risks of sedation with your child’s physician.)
If you are pregnant, or think you may be pregnant, please advise the x-ray technologist.
BEFORE THE EXAM:
The technologist will help you onto the scanning table. He or she can address any questions or concerns. You will be positioned comfortably, generally with your arms at your sides and your head cradled in the headrest. If you have long hair, it will be tucked into the headrest.
AS THE SCAN BEGINS:
The scanning table, which is simply a nonmagnetic stretcher, will slide into the giant magnet. Your whole body may slide through.
DURING THE SCAN:
You will not feel a thing. You will hear some peculiar noises:
 The hum of the machine.
A thump when the radio waves are turned on and off.
Whirring, grating, or other machine-like noises.
We will be in touch with you during the entire study. We can both see and hear you at all times. If you need us, just speak up but please do not move.
Total scanning time usually ranges form 30 - 90 minutes.
WHEN THE SCAN IS FINISHED:
The images will be reviewed for quality. If their quality is acceptable, you may go home. If more images are needed, they will usually be taken right away. Immediately after the exam you can return to your normal activities. MRI has no known side effects.
FOLLOW-UP:
A report will be sent to your chart later in the day if you are an in-patient. If your are an outpatient, a report will be sent to your doctor. Please allow four working days for your doctor to contact you.
BILLING:
You will receive two bills for your radiology examination. Baldwin Area Medical Center will bill for the examination. The Radiologist, who is a doctor with specialized training in radiology, will bill separately for his interpretation, consultation with the physician and report.
We thank you for allowing us to serve you and welcome any questions or comments you may have.
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please call Baldwin Area Medical Center at (715) 684-3311.
PATIENTS RIGHTS:
As a patient you have the right to know about and discuss with your family, your doctor and nurse exactly what type of treatment and care you will be receiving.
The healthcare team of Baldwin Area Medical Center accepts the responsibility to ensure that you are adequately informed about all procedures. We hope this information will help.
|
|
