DMSHG Imaging

DMS Imaging

A Guide to Your MRI Exam

What Is MRI?

What Can I Expect?

Will I Need An Injection?

How Do I Prepare?

How Do I Get Results?

Post-Procedure Information

Post-Procedure Care

Patient Rights

Patient Responsibilities

What Is MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a sophisticated and highly accurate imaging technique used to diagnose diseases of the brain, spine, skeleton, chest, abdomen, pelvis and blood vessels.

MRI is a completely safe, non-invasive and painless diagnostic procedure. With a large magnet, radio waves and a computer, MRI produces detailed cross-sectional pictures of your internal organs and structures without using ionizing radiation.

During your MRI exam, you will lie on a table and a "coil" will be placed on or under your body. This coil helps direct the magnetic energy to a specific body part. The table will move you into a tunnel-like opening. The amount of your body that is actually in the tunnel will depend upon the body part being examined.

Very simply, the tunnel-like opening contains a magnet that helps to create images of your body. These images go to a computer and show the organs, bones, muscles, arteries, etc. Your doctor will use those images to make an accurate diagnosis and plan your treatment as necessary.

Additional information about what you can expect is defined below. If you have any additional questions about your MRI exam, please contact your physician or a member of our staff.

What Can I Expect?
An MRI exam generally takes between 30 minutes and an hour. The length of your exam will depend on the type of study your doctor has ordered.

We want to ensure complete comfort during your exam. The technologist will help you lie on an automatic, cushioned scanning table. You'll rest on your back with your head in a cushioned headrest.

Once you are completely comfortable, the technologist will position a device, called a "coil," over or under you. The coil helps produce the clearest picture of the area it covers.

When you are properly positioned, the table will slide into the opening of the machine and the exam will begin. It's important that you remain as still as possible throughout the exam. You won't feel a thing, but you will hear a muted thumping or knocking sound for several minutes at a time. This is completely normal.

If you become uncomfortable or have questions at any time, you'll be able to communicate with the technologist through a built-in intercom. When the exam is complete, the technologist will help you off the table and you'll collect your personal belongings.

Will I Need An Injection?
In some cases, your doctor may order a contrast agent to enhance the images. The agents, which are completely safe and FDA-approved, are injected into a vein in your arm.

How Do I Prepare?
Metallic objects limit the accuracy of MRI, and the magnetic field can interfere with some surgically implanted devices. Also there are other safety concerns. If any of the following apply to you, tell your doctor:

Pregnancy

Cardiac pacemaker or artificial heart valve

Metallic implant

Insulin pump or other infusion pump

Intrauterine device

If you are a metal worker

Inner ear implant

Previous gunshot wound

Joint or bone pins

Permanent tattoos or eyeliner

Aneurysm clips

Eat and take any prescription medications as usual, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Bring a current list of all of your medications to your appointment.

Bring prior X-rays or scans if you are instructed.

Leave items such as watches, credit cards, pocket knives, jewelry, hearing aids or any other metallic items at home or in your car. If needed, a locker will be provided.

Avoid wearing eye makeup (many eye shadows contain metallic flakes).

If you'd like, ask a friend or relative to accompany you.

Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your exam to provide medical and insurance information.

If you are afraid of closed-in spaces, tell your doctor in advance. Your doctor can prescribe a sedative to help you relax. In that case, you will need someone to drive you home after the exam.

If you feel you will be unable to remain still for 30 to 60 minutes due to pain, please inform your physician.

How Do I Get The Results?
Your exam results will be sent to your physician, who will discuss them with you.

Post-Procedure Information
After your MRI scan, your images are sent to a physician who specializes in the review of these images. This physician will prepare a report that is shared with your doctor (the doctor that ordered your MRI exam). Your doctor will consider this information and is responsible for contacting you with the results. He or she can answer any questions you may have about your results at that time.

Post-Procedure Care

Following your MRI today, you can resume your normal activities. (Please contact your doctor if you have any questions about your intended activities, or if you have any questions about restricted activities.)

If you were given an injection of contrast media as part of your MRI scan today, you should:

Drink an extra 24 ounces of water (three extra glasses) following your exam.
Contact your physician immediately if you experience any or the following:
Trouble breathing, dizziness or lightheadedness, slow or irregular heartbeat.
Any other sudden change that concerns you.

If you were given (or took) a sedative for this exam please do not drive or operate machinery until its effects have worn off (please contact your doctor with any questions.)

Patient Rights
As a patient you have the right to:

Considerate and respectful care.

Obtain from your physician complete current information concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in terms you can understand.

Receive from your physician information necessary to give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure and/or treatment.

Refuse treatment.

Appropriate assessment and management of pain.

Every consideration of your privacy concerning your own medical care program.

Expect that all communications and records pertaining to your care are treated as confidential.

Safe and secure treatment within our facilities.

Obtain information as to any relationship of this facility with any other healthcare and educational institution insofar as your care is concerned.

Expect reasonable continuity of care.

Examine and receive an explanation of your bill regardless of the source of payment.

Expect a speedy response and resolution to any complaints.

Know that the rules and regulations of the healthcare facility apply to your conduct as a patient in the imaging facilities.

Patient Responsibilities

Providing information. The patient is responsible for providing, to the best of his or her knowledge, accurate and complete information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and other matters relating to his or her health. The patient and family are responsible for reporting unexpected changes in the patient's condition. The patient and family help the organization improve its understanding of the patient's environment by providing feedback about service needs and experiences.

Asking questions. The patient is responsible for asking questions when they do not understand what they have been told about their care or what they are expected to do.

Following instructions. The patient and family are responsible for following the care, service, or treatment plan developed. They should express any concerns they have about their ability to follow and comply with the proposed care plan or course of treatment. Every effort is made to adapt the plan to the patient's specific needs and limitations. When such adaptations to the treatment plan are not recommended, the patient and family are responsible for understanding the consequences of the treatment alternatives and not following the proposed course.

Accepting consequences. The patient and family are responsible for following the organization's rules and regulations concerning patient care and conduct.

Showing respect and consideration. Patients and families are responsible for being considerate of the organization's personnel and property.

Meeting financial commitments. The patient and family are responsible for promptly meeting any financial obligation agreed to with the organization.

If you have any questions or concerns related to the imaging procedure that you had done today, please call 1-800-437-4628 and ask for the Quality Improvement Department. Unresolved concerns can be reported to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations through their website, www.jointcommission.org