What to Expect From Your Visit
Preparing for an MRI- A medical history is extremely important and must be obtained by our nursing staff prior to your appointment to ensure safety and avoid unnecessary delay or cancellation of your examination.
- If you have claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or anxiety, you many need to ask yur referring physician for a prescription for a mild sedative or ask about our (IM) inter muscular sedation.
- You can eat normally, take your medications as usual and follow your daily routine prior to “MOST” appointments. However, there are some studies that require lab work, diet and special preps before scanning. A nurse will tell you if you need to follow any of these guidelines.
- Bring your doctor's prescription, insurance card(s) and any previous film(s) or CD(s) of the area to be scanned with you to your appointment.
- Arrive 15 minutes early to complete paperwork and if you require sedation, arrive 30 minutes early. Sedation patients MUST be accompanied by a driver who must remain in our waiting room until completion of the exam. (The driver cannot leave our building and come back.).
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing or patient gowns will be provided.
- Remove all metal or metallic objects from your body before scanning, such as jewelry, watches, keys or credit cards. These may cause distortion or be damaged by the magnet. Personal belongings may be secured in our lockers.
- Remove dentures or bridges. These may also cause distortion. Personal denture cups are provided.
- Tell the technologist or nurse if you have permanent eyeliner, a hearing aid, cardiac pacemaker, artificial limb, implant or prosthetic device. Also, tell us if there can be any possible metallic fragments in your eyes or body, such as shrapnel.
- Women should always inform their physician , our nurse or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
- Ask questions. If anything is unclear prior to scanning or at any time, your doctor or our staff will be happy to discuss it with you. It could be important.
The MRI Exam
Just before you enter the scanning room, a final check will be done by our registered technologist to ensure that you are free of all metal. The technologist will then help position you comfortably for the part of the body being scanned. The table itself will move you, if necessary. All you have to do is relax and remain as still as possible. Headphones for music are available You may even nap. You will, however, hear some clicking, humming or thumping noises during part of the scanning; these are normal operating sounds. Patients are given ear plugs. Our technologists will be able to watch you through the observation window. You may remain in reassuring contact by intercom or hand-held emergency button. The inside of the magnetic field is lighted and vented with fresh air for your comfort. Three or more scans will be taken, totaling 30 to 45 minutes overall, in addition to the time it takes for paperwork and sedation, if ordered. Please allow for unforeseen delays, emergency cases or unplanned sedation.
