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 be placed in a strong magnetic field that aligns the
nuclear magnetism of protons in your hydrogen atoms, which
make up 95 percent of your body. When a radio wave passes
through those protons, they generate a radio signal that is
processed by computer in the form of tomographic images. Your
doctor will use those images to make an accurate diagnosis
and plan your treatment. If you have any questions about
your MRI exam that are not covered in this brochure, contact
your physician or 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 be able to select music to
listen to during the exam. 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. 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
- Aneurism
clips
Other than limiting the amount of fluids
you drink on the day of the exam, you do not need to make any
special preparations. - Eat and take any prescription
medications as usual, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- If you'd like, ask a friend or relative to accompany
you.
- 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.
- Leave items such as watches, credit
cards, pocketknives, jewelry, hearing aides or any other metallic
items at home or give them to the technologist for safekeeping.
- Avoid wearing eye makeup (many eye shadows contain
metallic flakes).
- Plan to arrive 20 minutes before
your exam to provide medical and insurance information.
- Bring
prior x-rays or scans if you are instructed.
How Do I Get The Results? Your exam
results will be sent to your physician, who will discuss them
with you.
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 undrestand
- 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 infrormation
as to any relationship of htis facility with any other healthcare
and educational insitiution 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 resloution to any complaints
- Know
that the reules and regulations of the healthcare facility
apply to your conduct as a patient in the DMS Imaging scanning
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.
This
infomation was provided by DMS
Imaging, An Company |
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