Diagnostic Imaging includes X-ray, Mammography, Ultrasound & Bone Mineral Density.

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday 0800 to 1600 hours
24 hour EMERGENCY on-call

An X-ray procedure must be ordered by a doctor.

Unless you are sent from the Emergency Department you must have an appointment, which is usually arranged by your doctor’s office. If you have been asked to book the appointment yourself, please call 613-756-3044, extension 252 to arrange the appointment.

When you arrive, please report to the Hospital Registration/Information Office in the SFMH lobby. Be prepared to present your Health Card.

Make sure you have the completed requisition form your doctor has given you.

Wear clothing that is easy to remove. Do not wear jewellery.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, notify the Diagnostic Imaging department as soon as possible.

How Do I Prepare for an X-ray?

Plain X-rays of the chest, abdomen, arms, legs and spine require no preparation and generally take only a few minutes to complete.
Please report to the Admitting/Information Office to register 10 to 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

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Bone Mineral Density

Wear two piece clothing, No zippers or buttons preferrably. Ex. track pants and sweat shirt

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Upper GI Series

An upper GI series is an upper gastrointestinal X-ray examination ordered by your doctor and the procedure is performed by a Radiologist.

It requires you to drink a barium suspension (contrast medium) that is used to coat the stomach wall so that it can be visualized with X-ray. This examination can identify problems within the upper gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach and small intestine (see small bowel series).

What can I expect from the procedure?

Your stomach must be empty for this examination. Do not eat after 10 p.m. the night before your appointment. If you take pills in the morning, you may take them as usual with a small sip of water. Do not smoke, chew gum or swallow water when you brush your teeth. If you are diabetic, tell staff when you are making your appointment so that it can be scheduled for a time that suits your medications and dietary restrictions. If there is any possibility that you are pregnant, tell the staff at the time of the booking.

During the procedure you will need to change into a hospital gown and the Radiologic Technologist will position you on a special movable table behind an X-ray device called a fluoroscope. You will be asked to drink liquid barium, which will produce air in your stomach, with no ill effects. The Radiologist will ask you to assume various positions and take deep breaths while he/she watches the movement of barium on a television monitor.

The procedure takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

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Small Bowel Series

If you are also scheduled for a small bowel series, it will take considerably longer because the barium is being observed as it passes through the entire small intestine (approximately 22 feet) until it reaches the colon. Average time for this examination is usually 1-2 hours.

After the procedure you may feel return to your regular diet, unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Barium can cause constipation (and color your stool white) so it is recommended that you drink several glasses of water or juice after the procedure to eliminate the barium. If you are on a fluid-restricted diet, discuss your fluid intake with your doctor. A mild laxative may also be used but discuss this with your doctor.

Your doctor will receive a written report from the Radiologist.

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Barium Enema

A barium enema, or lower GI series, is used to study disorders of the large intestine, colon and rectum by using barium given by means of an enema. Barium is a safe, and is not absorbed into the blood stream. If you are having an air contrast barium enema, air will be used along with the barium during the examination.

Preparation

Day before: Drink clear fluids only ** Take your oral medications with the fluids. Do not eat solid food. Take one package of Royvac, following the manufacturer's enclosed instructions.

Day of Examination: Drink clear fluids only. ** Report for your test.

What can I expect from the procedure?

Your doctor will receive a written report from the Radiologist.

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I.V.P. – Intravenous Pyelogram

An I.V.P. (intravenous pyelogram) is a special X-ray examination of the kidneys, ureters and the bladder. X-ray dye is injected into a vein and it is filtered from the blood by the kidneys and can be used to demonstrate kidney stones and other abnormalities of the urinary tract. The dye is removed from the body in the urine.

The procedure takes 30 to 60 minutes, although it can be longer if stones are present.

• Preparation - If done on an emergency basis there is no preparation.
  
• If the procedure is booked, a clear fluid diet is required 1 day before the exam - do not eat solid foods, eggs, milk or dairy products. Do not eat anything after 9 p.m. the night before the examination. Clear fluids are permitted at any time. If you are diabetic you may eat normally and take your medication as usual.
  
• Purchase Royvac from any pharmacy and follow the instructions on the bottle.
  

What can I expect from the procedure?

During the procedure, the technologist will take a preliminary X-ray film to ensure the kidney area is not obscured. You will be asked about your medical history and allergies. If you have had a previous reaction to X-ray dye, it is very important that you tell your doctor before the procedure begins.

Your doctor will inject X-ray dye into a vein in your arm or hand. As the solution is injected, you may experience a metallic taste in your mouth and a mild warm sensation throughout your body. These are normal reactions.

The technologist will then take a series of X-rays at timed intervals. The examination will take about 45 minutes.

Mild allergic reactions such as itching and hives occasionally occur. These may go away without treatment or may respond quickly to medication. If these reactions occur, they will be explained and treated by the radiologist and/or physician.

After the procedure, the dye is gradually removed from your blood by your kidneys and stored in your bladder until you urinate. The colour of your urine will not change. You may resume your normal diet immediately, unless advised otherwise by your physician.

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Mammogram

Do not wear deodorant or talcum powder. Wear two-piece clothing, as you will only need to remove your top/blouse for this examination. A gown will be provided.

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What is an Ultrasound?

During an ultrasound procedure, equipment sends sound - at a frequency that cannot be heard by the human ear - into specific parts of the body. The sound reflects back at different frequencies, which are analyzed by a computer and turned into an image of the part of the body being examined.

Ultrasound tests are usually carried out as part of obstetrical, gynecological and abdominal examinations or as examinations of small body parts, such as the breast or thyroid gland. Patients who need echocardiograms, or “heart ultrasounds” are able to have them done at the Almonte General Hospital. The Hospital’s Registered Echocardiographer/Ultrasonographer and Vascular Technologist can also perform carotid dopplers, or ultrasounds of the carotid and vertebral arteries.

After an ultrasound test, the ultrasonographer views the image, marks areas of it that may indicate potential abnormalities, and sends it to a radiologist, who reads it and make a diagnosis. Some ultrasound images can also be viewed on videotape.

If You Need an Ultrasound

If you require an ultrasound examination you will have a requisition form from your doctor.

Unless you are sent from the Emergency Department you must have an appointment, which is usually arranged by your doctor’s office. If you have been asked to book the appointment yourself, please call 613-756-3044, extension 252 to arrange the appointment.

When you arrive, please report to the Hospital Registration/Information Office in the SFMH lobby. Be prepared to present your Health Card.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, notify the Diagnostic Imaging Department as soon as possible – preferably 24 hours in advance.

An ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves, not X-rays. For the test you will be asked to lie down on a bed while a transducer (which looks like a small microphone) is passed over the area of your body being examined, using a gel which will feel cool but does not cause discomfort.

Preparing for an Abdominal Examination (liver, aorta, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys)

Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your examination. Do not smoke or chew gum. If you need to take medication, take it with a small amount of water. If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic and are asked to miss breakfast, take half your normal dose of insulin. If you have to miss any other meal, contact your doctor for further instructions.

Preparing for an Abdominal and Pelvic Examination

Do not eat. Finish drinking 40 oz. of clear fluid (preferably water) one hour before your appointment time. Do not empty your bladder after drinking the water until after your test. If your bladder becomes too uncomfortable, you may pass a small amount of urine to relieve the pressure. If your bladder is not full at the time of your test you may have to reschedule.

If you need to take medication, take it with a small amount of water. If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic and are asked to miss breakfast, take half your normal dose of insulin. If you have to miss any other meal, contact your doctor for further instructions.

Preparing for an Obstetric or Pelvic Examination

This test can only be done if the bladder if full. Eat normally. Finish drinking 40 oz. of clear fluid (preferably water) one hour before your appointment time. Do not empty your bladder after drinking the water until after your test. If your bladder becomes too uncomfortable, you may pass a small amount of urine to relieve the pressure. If your bladder is not full at the time of your test you may have to reschedule.

Expectant mothers who undergo an ultrasound can purchase a still image of an ultrasound of their baby for a $5 fee.

All Other Ultrasound Tests

There are no restrictions on food or drink.

After the Test

Return to your normal diet and (if applicable) insulin routine.