The length of your exam will depend on the type of study your doctor has ordered. In many cases, MRI patients are scanned and on their way home within an hour. The compact design of the Philips magnet makes it less intimidating in appearance and most scans can be conducted with the head entirely outside of the opening.

The MRI exam itself is painless – you won’t feel a thing. Our technologist will lie you down on a comfortable padded table. As your exam begins, this table will move into the wide opening of our MRI system. We will ask you to remain as still as possible during the exam to ensure the best quality images. The machine does make a knocking noise as each image is taken. We will provide you with our MRI compatible headphones, which help block out the noise and allow you to listen to a selection of music, or earplugs if needed. You will be in visual and audio contact with the technologist during the entire scan.

Our MRI technologist reviews the images and prepares the information for interpretation by the radiologist. The results are forwarded to your referring physician who is the only person authorized to discuss the results with you.

Preparation for Your MRI

Good news – no special preparation is needed. There are no restrictions in your use of medication or your diet prior to the MRI, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

We suggest that you wear comfortable clothing (must be metal-free) as you will be required to lie still for an extended period. You will be asked to remove all jewelry and other accessories before your scan. For your convenience, a locked area will be provided for your personal items. Our entrance is handicapped accessible, convenient, and protected from the weather.

Please check in with the front desk receptionist in the main waiting area. You will need to fill out paperwork which includes medical history screening questions. It is important that you answer these questions accurately to ensure your safety in the magnetic field. The radiology technologist will review the screening questionnaire and the procedure with you, and answer any questions that you may have. If your study requires the use of a contrast material, the technologist will start an intravenous (IV) line for that injection. They will inform you about your imaging procedure and guide you through every step. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

• Signed original prescription from your doctor.
• Complete insurance information.
• Co-pay or co-insurance, per your insurance plan.
• Loose, comfortable clothing, must be metal-free.
• For some MRI tests, we may ask you to change into a hospital-type gown.
• Please leave all jewelry, watches, and valuables at home. A small security box will be available for essential items.