Ready. Set. Hello.

Keeping Your Mammogram Safe

Learn about the extra measures we are taking to keep your Mammogram safe during these unique times.

Always let us know if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have breast implants. Use the relevant instructions below for your procedure:

Digital Mammography

To minimize your discomfort, schedule your exam two to three days after the end of your period when your breasts will be less tender. Do not wear lotions, perfume, powder, deodorant or glitter on the breast or underarm area.

Breast Ultrasound

No preparation required.

Breast MRI

Because the MRI uses a powerful magnet, our staff will carefully screen you to make sure that you don’t have any ferromagnetic metals on or in your body that could interfere with the magnet. For your safety, it is essential that you inform staff of any such objects.

If you are having an MRI and you have a pacemaker or heart defibrillator, please call our office immediately. If you wear a cardiac monitor, Medtronic drug infusion system, nerve stimulator, programable shut, stent, eye or ear implant we need the following device name, device model and device maker and in order to ensure it is safe for you to have your exam.

Stereotactic Biopsies

No Aspirin, Ibuprofen or NSAID's for 7 days prior to your Biopsy. You do not need to stop anticoagulants. Tylenol does not interfere prior to Biopsies and may be used for pain relief after procedure. You can eat and drink as normal prior to your procedure. You can take any prescribed medication as usual.

Fine Needle or Core Breast Biopsy

No Aspirin, Ibuprofen or NSAID's for 7 days prior to your Biopsy. Tylenol does not interfere prior to a Biopsy and may be used for pain relief after the procedure.If you take any blood thinners, please consult your referring physician to see whether or not these medications should be stopped 7 days prior or if they should be continued. If referrer recommends blood thinners are continued, performing radiologist must be informed prior to procedure. Please notify us if you have any allergies to Lidocaine or Betadine. You can eat and drink normal prior to the procedure. You can take any prescribed other medications.

MRI Breast Biospy

The presence of metal in your body may be a safety hazard or affect a portion of the MRI image. Before receiving an MRI, tell the technologist if you have any metal or electronic devices in your body, such as metallic joint prostheses, artificial heart valves or cardiac stents, an implanted heart defibrillator, a pacemaker, metal clips, cochlear implants, a bullet, shrapnel or any other type of metal fragment. Before you schedule an MRI, tell your doctor if you think you’re pregnant. Your doctor may recommend choosing an alternative exam or postponing the MRI. It’s also important to discuss any kidney or liver problems with your doctor and the technologist because problems with these organs may limit the use of injected contrast agents during your scan. A contrast (gadolinium) injection may be necessary to provide better information in some MRI exams. Our staff will notify you at the time you schedule your MRI if this is necessary in your exam. Most MRIs do not involve a contrast injection.

It is best to avoid wearing hairpins and jewelry to your appointment. No Aspirin, Ibuprofen or NSAID's for 7 days prior to your Biopsy. You do not need to stop anticoagulants. Tylenol does not interfere prior to Biopsies and may be used for pain relief after procedure. You can eat and drink as normal prior to your procedure. You can take any prescribed medication as usual. If your exam is scheduled with contrast , please don’t eat or drink 4 hours prior to your appointment. If you are scheduled without contrast you may eat and drink as normal.

MRI Prostate

The presence of metal in your body may be a safety hazard or affect a portion of the MRI image. Before receiving an MRI, tell the technologist if you have any metal or electronic devices in your body, such as metallic joint prostheses, artificial heart valves or cardiac stents, an implanted heart defibrillator, a pacemaker, metal clips, cochlear implants, a bullet, shrapnel or any other type of metal fragment. It is best to avoid wearing hairpins and jewelry to your appointment.

• Please do not eat 12 hours prior to your exam.

• Please do no drink 4 hours prior to your appointment.

• Purchase two Fleet enemas - use one the night before your appointment and the second the morning of your appointment. Use as directed on packaging. 

• Take Gas-X 25 minutes before your appointment. Use as directed on packaging.

Prostate Biopsy

• If you are taking a blood thinner, such as Coumadin, please inform your referring doctor/urologist and us. This will need to be discontinued prior to your Biopsy, under the supervision of your primary physician.

• You should not take any Aspirin or Aspirin-like products for a period of 5-7 days prior to the Biopsy.

• You have been given a prescription for an antibiotic by your referring doctor/urologist (Cipro 500 mg orally twice a day) to be taken one day prior to your Biopsy, the actual day of the Biopsy , and the day following the Biopsy. The purpose of this antibiotic is to decrease the risks of infection due to the prostate Biopsy. If you have a prosthetic heart valve or joint implant and require additional antibiotics, please notify your referring/ urologist prior to procedure.

• Please inform us if you have a bleeding tendency or bruise easily.

• Refrain from sexual activity 2 days prior to your procedure.

• Intestinal gas and bowel contents interfere with the MRI. Please avoid gum chewing, carbonated beverages, beans, and members of the cabbage family during the 24 hours prior to your examination.

• Obtain a fleet enema saline twin pack (obtained over the counter in any pharmacy) and administer 1-2 hours before you leave for your scheduled appointment.

• You may have a light breakfast (if you Biopsy is in the morning), or a light lunch (if your Biopsy is in the afternoon). If you are diabetic, do no miss your regular meal.

• Allow 1-2 hours for your visit.

• If you have any questions regarding the instruction or the procedure, please call our office.

The presence of metal in your body may be a safety hazard or affect a portion of the MRI image. Before receiving an MRI, tell the technologist if you have any metal or electronic devices in your body, such as metallic joint prostheses, artificial heart valves or cardiac stents, an implanted heart defibrillator, a pacemaker, metal clips, cochlear implants, a bullet, shrapnel or any other type of metal fragment.

Before you schedule an MRI, tell your doctor if you think you’re pregnant. Your doctor may recommend choosing an alternative exam or postponing the MRI. It’s also important to discuss any kidney or liver problems with your doctor and the technologist, because problems with these organs may limit the use of injected contrast agents during your scan. A contrast (gadolinium) injection may be necessary to provide better information in some MRI exams. Our staff will notify you at the time you schedule your MRI if this is necessary in your exam. Most MRIs do not involve a contrast injection.

If you are having an MRI and you have a pacemaker or heart defibrillator, please call our office immediately. If you wear a cardiac monitor, Medtronic drug infusion system, nerve stimulator, programable shut, stent, eye or ear implant we need the following device name, device model and device maker and in order to ensure it is safe for you to have your exam.

Before an MRI exam, eat normally and continue to take your usual medications, unless otherwise instructed. You will be asked to change into a gown and to remove jewelry, hairpins, eyeglasses, watches, wigs, dentures, hearing aids, underwire bras and metallic make-up.

The presence of metal in your body may be a safety hazard or affect a portion of the MRI image. Before receiving an MRI, tell the technologist if you have any metal or electronic devices in your body, such as metallic joint prostheses, artificial heart valves or cardiac stents, an implanted heart defibrillator, a pacemaker, metal clips, cochlear implants, a bullet, shrapnel or any other type of metal fragment. Before you schedule an MRI, tell your doctor if you think you’re pregnant. Your doctor may recommend choosing an alternative exam or postponing the MRI. It’s also important to discuss any kidney or liver problems with your doctor and the technologist because problems with these organs may limit the use of injected contrast agents during your scan. A contrast (gadolinium) injection may be necessary to provide better information in some MRI exams. Our staff will notify you at the time you schedule your MRI if this is necessary in your exam.

It is best to avoid wearing hairpins and jewelry to your appointment. If your exam is scheduled with contrast , please don’t eat or drink 4 hours prior to your appointment. You can take any prescribed medication as usual and you can have water. If you are scheduled without contrast you may eat and drink as normal.

If you are having an MRI and you have a pacemaker or heart defibrillator, please call our office immediately. If you wear a cardiac monitor, Medtronic drug infusion system, nerve stimulator, programable shut, stent, eye or ear implant we need the following device name, device model and device maker and in order to ensure it is safe for you to have your exam.

If you are having an MRI and you have a pacemaker or heart defibrillator, please call our office immediately. If you wear a cardiac monitor, Medtronic drug infusion system, nerve stimulator, programable shut, stent, eye or ear implant we need the following device name, device model and device maker and in order to ensure it is safe for you to have your exam.

Please arrive 90 minutes before your appointment so that you have time to drink a special barium solution that helps us better see the bowel. Do not eat or drink anything except water six (6) hours prior to your procedure. You can take any prescribed medication as usual and you can have water. It is best to avoid wearing hairpins and jewelry to your appointment.

• If you could be pregnant or breast feeding, please inform our staff. If you had a severe allergic reaction to any substance, please inform our staff when scheduling your appointment.

• If your exam is ordered with IV contrast , please do not eat or drink for 4 hours prior, you may take your usual medications with water.If you are scheduled without contrast you may eat and drink as normal.

CT Abdomen and Pelvis

• If you could be pregnant or breast feeding, please inform our staff. If you had a severe allergic reaction to any substance, please inform our staff when scheduling your appointment.

• If your exam is ordered with IV contrast, please do not eat or drink for 4 hours prior, you may take your usual medications with water. Please be advised depending on the indication for exam , you may be required to drink barium or water to aid us in imaging. You will be advised at time of scheduling when to arrive for your appointment.

You should arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. Please do no eat or drink 4 hours prior, you may take your usual medications with water. No caffeine/stimulants 24 hours prior to exam (this includes coffee, chocolate, tea, red bull). For male patients, no Levitra, Viagra, Cialis 24 hours before.

Please speak with your referring doctor regarding bowel prep instructions. Your physician will prescribe for you.

• Do not take any calcium supplements, B12, or multivitamins for 24 hours before your exam.

• If you have had an X-ray that used any contrast material (dye) or a Nuclear Medicine study, schedule your DEXA exam at least one week after those tests.

• For the best patient care, please return to the same DEXA unit where you were initially scanned.

Pelvic Ultrasound

Drink 32 ounces of water one hour before your exam and do not empty your bladder until the test is completed. If this is exam is for a hernia, please give us a call in advance to let us know.

Obstetrical Ultrasound

• 1st Trimester: drink 32 ounces of water one hour before the exam and do not empty your bladder until the test is completed.

• 2nd Trimester: drink 32 ounces of water one hour before the exam and do no empty your bladder until the test is completed.

• If your doctor is looking for fetal growth, fetal position, or fetal anatomy - no preparation is needed.

Abdominal Ultrasound

Do not eat or drink for 6 hours before the test. You can take all your usual prescribed medications with a sip of water. If this is exam is for a hernia , please give us a call in advance to let us know.

Renal and Bladder Ultrasound

Drink 32 ounces of water one hour before the exam and do not empty your bladder until the test is complete.

Ultrasound Guided Thyroid Biopsy

No aspirin, ibuprofen or NSAIDS's for 7 days prior. You do not need to stop anticoagulants.

This exam requires no special preparation. Use the general instructions at the top of this page.

Let us know what medications you take, including non-prescription medicines and supplements.

You will receive an injected, oral, or inhaled preparation of an isotope (a radioactive material) before your exam. This material highlights the part of your body being examined and allows the radiologist to see how certain organs are functioning.

Whole Body Scan

No preparation required.

HIDA Scans

Please do not eat or drink 4-6 hours prior to your appointment - including water, chewing gum and candy.

Thyroid Scans

• If you have had a recent CT scan with contrast you must wait 7 days after to schedule. For this appointment you will take a pill containing a radioactive isotope.

• Three days prior to your appointment - please refrain from seafood, vitamins or supplements with iodine, and follow a low salt diet.

• Please check with your physician, as you may need to stop all thyroid medication 3 days prior to your appointment.

• Nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior to your appointment.​

GI/Small Bowel Exams

Do not eat or drink anything after Midnight. You can take your prescribed medication with sips of water; if you need to have food with your medicine , do not to take in the AM. Please expect to be on site for 2-3 hours

Barium Enemas

• Please purchase 4 Dulcolax Laxative tablets from the pharmacy , Miralax Powder 238gm bottle , and 64 oz. of Gatorade or Powerade. If you are diabetic, you may use diet soda, any flavor.

• Please take all your normal medication.

• You may have a light lunch the day before the procedure.

• After lunch, drink only fluids. Water, seltzer, black coffee, tea, Gatorade are okay to have.

• Depending on your schedule, starting between 1-4 PM the DAY before the procedure, take all four Dulcolax Laxative tablets. It usually takes between 4-7 hours before the action begins. If you are a frequent laxative user, please start with double your usual effective Dulcolax dose. If constipated, start with daily Milk of Magnesia for a few days prior to the prep to help "loosen" things up.

• Two hours after the Dulcolax, start drinking your chilled Miralax cocktail. You should pace yourself to drink about eight 8 ounce glasses (64oz.) over a 2-4 hour period, roughly one glass every 15-30 minutes, until finished.

• Expect to use the facilities at least 10-15 times, over about 5 hours once activity begins. Expect some cramps.

• All fluid intake, including water, should end 6 hours before the procedure.

Specific Directions for Dulcolax/Miralax/Gatorade Prep:

Mix the entire 238 gram bottle of Miralax with 2 quarts of Gatorade in a large pitcher. Stir, chill, add ice.