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What is radiology?
Radiology sometimes referred to as medical imaging or diagnostic imaging, involves the use of different technologies to produce images of the human body. These technologies include x-rays, fluoroscopy, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (or Computerized Tomography), mammography, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine. Each imaging technology has properties make it more advantageous or useful for liking at different parts and functions of the human body.
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Do all medical imaging technologies involve radiation?
No. Some, like MRI and ultrasound, do not. MRI uses magnetic energy to image the body, while ultrasound produces images based on sound waves. Technologies that use radiation include x-ray, CT, mammography, and nuclear medicine.
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Is radiation safe?
Most diagnostic procedures produce only small amount of radiation and are usually considered very safe. If your doctor has referred you for a diagnostic procedure, he/she believes that the small amount of radiation involved is less harmful than an undiagnosed problem or disease. If you have many diagnostic procedures involving radiation, the cumulative dose may or may not be important. You should ask your physician if you have further questions.
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Do imaging procedures hurt?
Most of the diagnostic procedures involve no discomfort. Many diagnostic procedures use contrast agents (pharmaceutical that make your blood vessels or organs show up better on the images). These contrast agents are often injected through a needle into a vein, which can cause some discomfort. Other procedures, such as angiograms and biopsies, any cause some discomfort. For most procedures you will be given detailed informed consent forms describing the procedures and disclosing the risks and alternatives.
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Can I eat or drink anything before my exam?
Some radiology procedures are routine and allow you to immediately return to work. There are some procedures that require bed rest. The amount of time you will miss from work depends on the procedure.
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Will I have to miss work?
Most of our procedures are routine and allow you to immediately return to work. There are some procedures that require bed rest. The amount of time you will miss form work depend on the procedure.
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Who are some of the people I will see during my radiology exam?
You will probably interact most closely with a radiology technologist, who will help position you on the equipment during the exam.
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Are technologists medical doctors?
No, but they have received special training in how to operate medical imaging equipment. Technologists are trained in general x-rays procedures, and, if they choose, a specific technology such as mammography.
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What do technologists do?
Technologists are trained to properly position and expose patients for each diagnostic procedure and to operate the corresponding diagnostic equipment safely and effectively.
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What is a radiologist?
A radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnostic radiology. A radiologist will supervise your study and then read the images produced during your exam.
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What is a biopsy?
Sometimes, if a radiology procedure detects an abnormality, the radiologist may suggest to your physician that a biopsy be taken. A biopsy involves the removal of a small of tissue, either by a knife in surgery or with a needle under imaging guidance. The tissue removed is then prepared and evaluated under a microscope.
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Who will contact me with my results?
Your physician, who requested the exams to be performed, will contact you. In the case of a mammogram, the results may be delivered directly to you and your primary care physician.
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Do I get to keep my x-rays image after the procedure?
Unfortunately, no. Images are considered part of your medical record, and we have a legal responsibility to keep them in our facility for several years in case we, or others, need to reference them in the future. Under certain circumstances they may be checked out and delivered to other healthcare practitioners, or may be copied for the same purpose.
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How do I check out my films for a doctor’s appointment?
You may hand carry your films for your doctors appointment. Just call the Medical Records Department 24 hours prior to your appointment to arrange for hand carrying. The Medical Records Department phone number is (909) 276-7500, ext. 212. We require that firms be returned within 14 working days to prevent loss of films. Special arraignments can be made for extenuating circumstances.
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How do I get copies of my film?
Copies are very rarely needed and costly to make. We are very flexible if you need your films for an appointment. If a doctor requires copies (i.e. and emergency transfer of a patient prior to films being read) they will be made on a case by case basis.
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How long are my films maintained at Computerized Diagnostic Imaging Centers?
Films are maintained for 7 years from your last visit. Or in the event that the patient is a minor, one year after the patient reaches majority.
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How do I get the results of my Exam?
The Medical Records Department is not authorized to give patients any results. If you have not heard from your healthcare provider regarding your exam, call their clinic/or office.
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How long before my exams gets a reading from the Radiologist?
All films are read within 1 work day after being taken. Occasionally a doctor may hold on to a film until other studies are complete or the follow up care, these cases, films will be read within 1 work day of them being returned to the Radiology Department CD/C providers will get a written report 24 hours after being read. Civilian providers should receive reports within 1 week.
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