Radiology
About Our Imaging Services
How long will it take to receive my results?
Typically it takes about 2-3 business days to receive your results from the ordering provider. Using the MyCareCorner patient portal, you could possibly see your results as fast as a couple hours after your visit. Click here, to learn more about our patient portal.
Note: All patients must have a doctor’s referral to make an appointment with radiology services. Please check with your insurance company to determine pre-certification requirements.
MRI Scans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a form of imaging modality used to obtain clinically useful diagnostic information. MRI produces images of anatomy without the use of radiation required with other imaging modalities, such as x-ray. MRI is noninvasive with no known side or after effects.
Community Hospital-Fairfax placed an MRI onsite in 2019. The Echelon Oval is designed around the shape of the human body, allowing for an optimal patient experience with outstanding comfort, space and efficiency. The 74cm oval bore is the widest 1.5T MR system available.
MRIs are offered 5 days a week Monday through Friday.
Preparing for your MRI
All metal and other accessories should be left at home if possible, or removed prior to the MRI scan. Metal and electronic objects are NOT allowed in the exam room. These items include:
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Credit Cards
- Hearing Aids
- Pins
- Hairpins, Metal Hair Accessories
- Metal Zippers
- Removable Dental Work
- Pens
- Pocketknives
- Eyeglasses
If you have claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces) or have anxiety, you may want to communicate this to your physician for a prescription for a mild sedative.
Contrast material, gadolinium, may be injected for your exam. An IV may be started for this reason. Please inform the physician or technologist of any allergies.
Please bring any stent cards with you at the time of your appointment.
Women should inform the physician or technologist of any possibility of pregnancy.
CT Scans
By appointment or on-call 24 hours a day for emergencies.
Preparing for your CT
CT scans and metal objects are not a good combination. Jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.
You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand, especially if contrast material will be used in your exam. Your physician or radiology staff will inform you of this when your appointment is made. An IV may be started to inject contrast material for your scan. You should inform your physician of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies. If you have a known allergy to contrast material, or “dye,” your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction.
Women should always inform their physician and the CT technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
PET Scans
Available by Appointment
Low Dose CT Scans
The Low Dose CT is a low dose radiation CT that can help detect lung cancer early. If detected early, lung cancer can often be treated successfully.
For smokers with Medicare, this screening is free but there are eligibility requirements. The individual must be between the ages of 50 and 77, a current smoker or a smoker that has smoked within the last 15 years, a smoking history of at least 20 pack years (one pack a day for 20 years) and have a written order from a provider.
For non-Medicare smokers or for Medicare smokers that do not meet the eligibility requirements, it is recommended that you visit with your provider about whether your screening might be covered and if this screening is right for you.
Cardiac Calcium Scores
Available by Appointment
X-Ray
By appointment or on call 24 hours a day for emergencies.
Preparing for your X-Ray
Wear comfortable clothing that has little metal as possible. You may be asked to change into a gown.
Women should inform the technologist or physician of any possibility of pregnancy.
Digital Mammography
Community Hospital-Fairfax is proud to offer American Association of Radiology Accredited mammography services. Digital mammos are done daily and once a month in the evening to accmodate busy schedules.
Preparing for your Mammogram
Consider wearing a two piece outfit so it is easier to undress from the waist up. Avoid wearing deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam as these can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.
Patients of Dr. Burke need to have a physical breast exam before their mammogram. Simply call Rock Port Family Medicine Clinic and discuss this with his staff.
Ultrasound
By Appointment
Preparing for your Ultrasound
You may be asked to wear a gown during the exam or you may be allowed to wear your own clothing.
For some exams you may be asked to fast or have a full bladder beforehand. Please refer to physician or radiology department for prior instructions.
Community Hospital - Fairfax is an ACR Accredited Facility
Why should I have my imaging exam done at an accredited facility?
When you see the gold seals of accreditation prominently displayed in our imaging facility, you can be sure that you are in a facility that meets standards for imaging quality and safety. Look for the ACR Gold Seals of Accreditation.
To achieve the ACR Gold Standard of Accreditation, our facility’s personnel qualifications, equipment requirements, quality assurance, and quality control procedures have gone through a rigorous review process and have met specific qualifications. It’s important for patients to know that every aspect of the ACR accreditation process is overseen by board-certified, expert radiologists and medical physicists in advanced diagnostic imaging.
What does ACR accreditation mean?
- Our facility has voluntarily gone through a vigorous review process to ensure that we meet nationally-accepted standards of care.
- Our personnel are well qualified, through education and certification, to perform medical imaging, interpret your images, and administer your radiation therapy treatments.
- Our equipment is appropriate for the test or treatment you will receive, and our facility meets or exceeds quality assurance and safety guidelines.
What does the gold seal mean?
When you see the ACR gold seal, you can rest assured that your prescribed imaging test will be done at a facility that has met the highest level of imaging quality and radiation safety. The facility and its personnel have gone through a comprehensive review to earn accreditation status by the American College of Radiology (ACR), the largest and oldest imaging accrediting body in the U.S. and a professional organization of 34,000 physicians.