X-RAY
What is an x-ray (radiography)?
X-ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation. The x-ray machine emits bundles of energy called photons. The photons pass through the body and are recorded in the image receptor to produce the x-ray image. The bone on an x-ray image will appear white due to most of the photons being blocked. Metal and contrast used for certain exams, such as barium and iodine, will also appear white on the radiograph. Areas that contain air, such as the lungs, will appear black. Fluid, muscles, and fat will show up on the radiograph as different shades of gray.
When should I have an x-ray?
Your doctor will determine when you need an x-ray. Your doctor may want you to have an x-ray to determine whether you have fractured (broken) or chipped a bone. The doctor may want to determine if you have cancer, arthritis in your joints, find out why you have heartburn, screen you for lung diseases, check for a kidney stone, or detect scoliosis (an abnormal curvature of your spine). There are multiple reasons to have an x-ray.
What type of x-ray should I have?
Your physician will determine what type of imaging is necessary by your symptoms. The doctor may order a plain x-ray or a study involving a contrast medium to enhance the specific area of concern. The contrast will assist the radiologist (x-ray doctor) in making a diagnosis. X-ray uses different types of contrast for different types of exams. Depending upon what the doctor is looking for determines the type of contrast that is used.
Fluoroscopy is a type of x-ray that is used for most of the contrast studies. For example fluoroscopy is used for a barium swallow, upper gastrointestinal series, cystourethrogram, barium enema, hysterosalpingogram, and more. Fluoroscopy is a technique in which "live" x-rays are obtained and displayed on a TV screen. The radiologist can watch as the contrast goes through the region of interest in your body and provide a better diagnosis.
How is the test performed?
The test will be performed either in a satellite clinic or in the ACMH Hospital imaging department. (If the test is ordered with contrast, it must be performed in the hospital radiology department.) All patients of childbearing age (male or female) are shielded with lead. Depending on the area of interest, the patient will be standing, seated, or lying on the x-ray table for the examination. There are multiple views for each area to be surveyed. This will provide the radiologist with adequate information to accurately diagnose the patient. After the patient is positioned, the technologist enters a shielded area called the control booth to take the exposure. The technologist may or may not ask the patient to hold their breath for the exposure. Holding the breath eliminates the possibility of motion during the x-ray and is only required for certain exams that would have to be repeated if motion were detected on the image. Depending on the type of exam being performed, the x-ray procedure could take a couple of minutes (for example: bone work) or it could take an hour or more (for example: contrast studies).
How do I prepare for the test?
Prior to the exam, notify the radiographer if you are pregnant or there is a possibility of pregnancy. There is no preparation for regular x-rays (for example: bone work). If abdominal x-rays have been ordered and you have had a contrast study in the past week, let the technologist know. The contrast must be completely eliminated from the body for an accurate exam. If you are scheduled for a contrast exam, your doctor should tell you how to prepare for the exam. If you have any additional questions, you may also call the x-ray department at (724) 543-8132.
Is there any discomfort involved with an x-ray?
For the most part, there is no discomfort involved with an x-ray. The hardness of the x-ray table or temperature in the imaging rooms may cause minimal discomfort. In order for the equipment to function properly, the rooms must be kept cool.
What risks are associated with x-rays?
Many individuals are concerned that x-rays are not safe because of the high levels of radiation exposure, which is linked to cancer. The truth is the amount of radiation exposure during an x-ray procedure is so small that the risk of causing cancer is extremely low. For most examinations the benefits outweigh the risks of x-ray. There is NO radiation present in your body after the exam is complete.
If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, you may want to consult your doctor to see if there are ways to be treated that do not involve radiation exposure, i.e., ultrasound. Radiation is most harmful to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy. If your doctor determines it is to your benefit to have the x-ray, even though you are pregnant, the x-ray technologist will shield you to make sure the baby does not receive unnecessary x-ray exposure.
If you are scheduled for a contrast exam, a thorough history will be obtained and the administration of contrast and the risks will be explained to you. If you have any allergies to iodine, seafood, or strawberries inform the x-ray technologist at this time. The ordering doctor can prescribe medication to take prior to the test to counteract a possible allergic reaction or another test may ordered. Inform your doctor of your known allergies in case pre-medication is necessary.
Your child's x-ray:
If a young child is having an x-ray, one parent or guardian may come in the room with the child. The child may have to be held to obtain the images needed. Immobilization techniques may be used to gently assist in holding the child still. These techniques will not harm the child but will provide the best images possible with as little radiation as possible. The technologist may ask the parent or guardian to hold the child if they will not hold still for the exam. A shield will be provided for you and the child. If you are the only parent or guardian with the child and think or know you might be pregnant, notify the staff.
If you are a parent or guardian and come with an older child who does not require holding assistance, you may be asked to remain in the x-ray waiting area due to the lack of seating beyond the outer waiting room.
When will I get my results?
The radiologist will interpret the exam after the technologist has completed the study. The report will then be given to your doctor. After your doctor has had time to review the results, he or she will contact you to discuss them.
If your doctor orders your exam as a "STAT" procedure, you may either wait in our x-ray waiting area or return home. The wait in the x-ray waiting room may be 20-30 minutes depending upon the number of patients requiring x-ray services. If you return home to await your results, you doctor should call within 1-2 hours.
Does the radiology department close?
The radiology department is staffed 24 hours a day. You may come at any time for an x-ray, provided it is not a contrast study. Contrast studies need to be scheduled. Usually the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift only performs examinations on in-patients and emergency room patients, but they are there to do all x-rays. If you come in after 7 p.m. or before 7 a.m. for an x-ray, you will have to go to the emergency room to be registered and then the x-ray department will be notified. If it is near 7 a.m. and you are at the hospital for an x-ray, you may be registered by the registration staff in the main lobby.
What tests need scheduled?
Any test that requires contrast needs to be scheduled. You may schedule a test by calling 724-543-8131 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Picking up images to take to a physician:
All images are stored in the hospital PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) computer system. The ACMH Hospital will create a CD of images from your radiology exam along with instructions for your physician. You may pick up your images at the radiology department office to take to your doctor. You may contact the x-ray office while you are at the hospital or by calling (724) 543-8135 to have copies of the images released. We encourage you to call ahead of time so that the images will be ready and the paperwork prepared when you arrive for pick up. The radiology office staff will need information on where the images are going along with your consent to release them.
If you are sending someone else to pick up your images, they must present a paper containing the patient’s name, the name of the individual to whom you have given permission to pick up the images for you, and your (the patient’s) signature. The hospital follows strict HIPPA Compliance Guidelines. If no written permission is produced, the office staff will need to call the patient to get a verbal consent before the images may be released.