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Available at Cessnock |
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Bulk billed for ALL Medicare eligible services |
Medicare funded MRI now available at Cessnock
In Focus Radiology is proud to now offer local and affordable MRI services to the Hunter Valley. This additional patient offering will provide high level services to the broader regional community; significantly reducing wait list periods, travel time and accessibility to these vital services.
In-line with In Focus Radiology values, we will offer a completely Bulk Billed MRI service, and continue to Bulk Bill all CT, X-Ray, US and DEXA services (certain Obstetric ultrasounds and core biopsies excluded), for all Medicare eligible requests.
Before booking your MRI Appointment at In Focus Cessnock, please complete the form below and upload your referral. One of our team will then be in contact to confirm your booking.
What is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)?
Your MRI examinations explained simply...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique used in radiology for examining internal organs. Unlike other imaging methods that use radiation such as CT, MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to generate precise images.
Since an MRI does not expose a patient to radiation, the exam is a very safe diagnostic procedure. Nevertheless, do inform the staff if you are pregnant or allergic to any medicines.
What does an MRI exam entail?
In the patient questionnaire, you enter information that is important for your examination. If contrast agent is required to detect certain structures in your body more clearly, you will be fitted with a port.
To achieve best image quality, a receiver coil will be placed on the region of your body to be examined. Once ready for the exam, you will be moved slowly into the MRI tunnel and the scan will begin.
An MRI exam lasts approximately 10 to 60 minutes. During your exam, try to remain as still as possible. Movements can adversely affect the quality of the images and result in delays or rescans.
What is important when having an MRI exam?
Metal objects are not allowed inside the MRI suite due to an MRI’s strong magnetic field. Please inform staff if you have any metal objects inside of your body that cannot be removed such as implants, a pacemaker, and stents.
You must remove any metal objects on your body before the start of the exam including piercings, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids, phones, or underwire bras.
What does an MRI exam feel like?
You won’t feel anything during the exam. You will receive earplugs to protect your ears from the loud thumping noises of the MRI scanner. Lying inside a narrow tunnel can be an unusual experience, which is why we recommend closing your eyes. However, if a contrast agent is used, the area where it enters your body may feel warm or cold. Large or colored tattoos may also feel warm during the exam.
Why would my doctor refer me to have an MRI?
There are many imaging procedures that help doctors look for and assess medical conditions. Different procedures provide different specialised information. Sometimes more than one type of imaging might be used to show information about a problem.
MRI might be the best way of showing certain problems, such as for a knee injury, the brain or spine. MRI is also often used to provide additional information to other tests, such as X-ray or ultrasound.
There are many different techniques or types of MRI scans that can be carried out. Each one offers the radiologist (specialist doctor) specific information, to best show what the problem might be. The information gained using MRI should help to diagnose the medical condition you might have.
MRI Safety
MRI has no known long-term harmful effects, provided the safety precautions are followed. MRI does not use harmful radiation.
The danger from MRI is due to interactions of objects with magnetic fields. Some implants, such as pacemakers, defibrillators, hearing devices and drug pumps, make it unsafe for a person to have a scan.
Helpful information:
We are here for you
We understand that medical procedures can sometimes be overwhelming, but please feel free to call our friendly staff to discuss any of your questions or concerns ahead of your appointment.
Please note that although we are happy to answer questions, you will need to discuss the results of your procedure directly with your referrer.
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