CT Patient Information

1638 Esplanade at East 7th Ave. • Chico, CA 95926530 894-6200 • 1 800 649-4MRI (4674) www.nsradiology.com • FAX 894-0174

Our entire facility is handicap accessible with plenty of free parking.

To Orland HW

Y 32

To Redding HWY 99 To Sacram

ento

Cohasset Rd.

Esplanade

E. 7th Ave.

E.1st Ave.

Mangrove Ave.

E. 8th Ave.

East Ave.

EnloeHospital

NVAI

“Excellence in Imaging”

CT Checklist:The following could interfere with your exam. Please notify us of any of the following prior to your appointment.

Pregnancy Kidney Disease

Breastfeeding Allergy to Iodine or shellfish

Diabetes Past allergic reaction to contrast

Payment reimbursementPlease check to see if your insurance requires prior authorization. You will be asked to present your insurance card and a photo IDwhen you check in. We will assist with insurance forms and billingfor prompt reimbursement. However, patients are responsible forpayment. We accept Visa and MasterCard.

Your Appointment:Date:________________________ Time:______________________

Special Instructions:_________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

How do I prepare for my exam?At the time your appointment is made, special instructions will be given if necessary. When you check in on the day of your exam, you may be asked to remove all metal or plastic objects that may interfere with the scan. These include items such as earrings, dentures, hearing aids, or hair pins. You will be given a personal locker for your valuables and comfortable clothes to wear during the exam. You will then be escorted to the interview area where a nurse or technologist will review your medical history prior to taking you to the examination room. In some cases, a contrast material may be given orally or with an IV injection to provide additional diagnostic information. This is a routine procedure and, if needed, will be discussed with you prior to the exam. Please review the checklist on the back of this brochure for additional information on how to prepare for your exam and feel free to call our center with any questions. Our goal is to make you feel as comfortable and confident as possible.

What should I expect during the exam?Just like having an x-ray, a CT exam is painless. You simply lie down on the patient table and the technologist gently positions your body for the scan.As the scan begins, the table moves you into the opening of the scanner, called a “gantry”, which is quite large and shaped like a donut. You will be asked to lie very still during the scan, which usually only takes a few minutes. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly to minimize any body movement. The technologist will monitor you during the entire exam through a window and will communicate with you through an intercom. The examination usually takes 15-30 minutes, but you should prepare for up to 45 minutes for the entire appointment.

When will my doctor have the results?Your scan will be read by one of our board certified radiologists and your doctor will be given the results within 48 hours. If your physician feels it is necessary to have a report right away, we can accommodate that request. Likewise, if our radiologist feels there is an urgent finding, we will notify your doctor immediately and send a copy of your images on CD-rom for their review. Your physician will then discuss the results with you.

CT: Computed Tomography

A CT scan, commonly referred to as a “CAT” scan, is a sophisticated x-ray system that combines the power of X-ray technology and computers to create precise, cross-section pictures of the internal anatomy. CT scans allow physicians to see organs, tissue, blood

vessels, and bone structure in much greater detail than with conventional x-rays, and are commonly used when people are ill or injured, or when a physician suspects a medical problem that is not easily detectable from a conventional physical examination.

Spiral (Helical) Multi-Slice CT: The term “spiral CT” refers to the path taken by the x-ray beam during scanning. The images created are similar to a single slice of bread from a whole loaf. Hence, the word “slice” is often used to describe a view of the patient anatomy. A spiral scan can usually be obtained during a single breath hold, resulting in a faster scan and increased image resolution due to less patient movement. We currently have two spiral multi-slice scanners, the newest being a 64-slice system, which produces images of unprecedented detail in a very short time and with a lower radiation dose to the patient.

Why North Valley Advanced Imaging?

Since 1989, North Valley Advanced Imaging has served patients with a warm, compassionate staff and state-of-the-art facility designed for patient comfort. When your doctor refers you to our center, it’s because he knows that we have the most advanced diagnostic technology available, as well as the North State’s

leading radiologists. Our physicians are all board certified and specialists in their field, and they pride themselves on keeping up with the latest in imaging technologies and techniques. We work closely with others in the medical community to make sure that each patient receives the highest quality of care.