X-Ray (including OPG)
An x-ray creates two-dimensional images of the body’s internal organs or bones to help diagnose conditions or diseases. A small amount of ionising radiation is used. An x-ray examination is painless and non-invasive. It is essential you let us know if you may be pregnant as another type of test may be recommended.
X-rays are performed by qualified and registered radiographers.
At RED, x-rays are performed on a walk-in basis. No appointment is necessary. Just come in between 8:30am and 4pm with your request form and Medicare card.
BMD (DEXA Bone Mineral Densitometry)
Osteoporosis is a disease characterised by low bone mass leading to fragile bones and increased risk of fractures. Our BMD measures bone loss due to conditions such as osteoporosis. This assists the patient and referrer determines the risk of future fractures, determine the need for medical treatment and monitor the success of existing treatment.
BMDs are performed by qualified and registered health practitioners at BodyPlan which is just next door to us.
An appointment is required for this test.
CT (Computed Tomography)
A CT scan uses x-rays to make detailed pictures of structures inside of your body. You are required to lie on a table and be transported through a “doughnut” like structure. Our CT has been set up to have some of the lowest radiation doses in Australia. This study is often confused with an MRI which requires you to go into a “tunnel”.
CT scans are performed by qualified and registered radiographers who have completed further training.
There is often preparation required, so appointments are essential for CT scans.
Radiographic contrast may be given during the course of some studies.
It is important you advise our team if you have asthma, diabetes or have had allergic reactions to contrast in the past to ensure you are adequately prepared prior to the examination. Prednisone may be administered to you 24 hours prior upon consultation with our Radiologist.
• Guided Procedures – Facet Joint Injections / Nerve Root Injections / Epidurals
At RED our radiologists are experienced and have had further training in performing:
- Cervical level facet joint and nerve root injections;
- Lumbar level epidurals; and
- Lumbosacral facet joint and nerve root injections.
Appointments are required for these injections.
Please advise our team when you make your appointment if you take blood thinners to ensure you are adequately prepared prior to the procedure.
It is important to note that you should have someone drive you home after these types of procedures.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe and painless test that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of the body’s organs and structures. Unlike CT scans or X-rays, MRI doesn’t use radiation.
An MRI scanner is a large doughnut-shaped magnet that has a tunnel in the centre. Patients are placed on a table that slides into this tunnel. The RED MRI is different to most you find outside of a hospital as it is “Wide-Bore” (i.e. much wider tunnel) and the time you are required to be in the machine is a lot less. This ensures people of all shapes and sizes can fit into our machine and addresses serious issues around claustrophobia.
MRI examinations are performed by radiographers who have completed further training to become MRI technicians.
Given the technology involved in an MRI examination we do make appointments for these studies. Please be patient with us as these studies are a little more complex to book and we need to thoroughly check your history to ensure you are appropriately prepared.
We will require you to send through a copy of your request form in advance (via fax, email or in person) to ensure your appointment runs as smoothly as possible.
Please note, it is essential you present to reception at the arrival time given to you at the time you make your appointment. Being late will affect all other patients during the day.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound scans are used to study a person’s internal body structures. A machine sends out high-frequency sound waves and records the reflected sound or echoes to create an image. Ultrasound is commonly used to study the developing foetus, abdominal and pelvic organs, muscles and joints, the heart and blood vessels.
It is a safe, painless and radiation free examination that has been used in medicine for well over half a century.
Ultrasound examinations are performed by highly qualified Sonographers.
All ultrasound examinations require appointments. Please have your request form with you when making your appointment. Exact wording assists us in booking you in for the correct appointment.
Your doctor may wish to exclude pathology requesting a combination of ultrasound examinations. There are Medicare rules that are applied in some circumstances that provide for an appropriate rebate to the patient. Please note that this may not be always be possible and your out-of-pocket expense will increase. One of our friendly bookings girls will assist you navigate through the complexity of these Medicare rules.
Please advise us if you have any special requests.
• General, Musculoskeletal & Routine Vascular
General ultrasounds, like ultrasounds of the abdomen, pelvis and renal tracts, often require preparation that needs to be completed at home before you arrive for your appointment.
MSK and routine vascular ultrasounds (e.g. shoulders, hips, carotid arteries and venous Doppler assessments for DVT) rarely require preparation but still require appointments. It may be possible to book for same day service.
• Complex Vascular
Venous Mapping (legs), AV Mapping and AV Fistula examinations are regarded as complex vascular assessments at RED. Each of these scans takes 1.5 hours to perform.
Given the duration of these examinations appointments are required and a confirmation call or SMS will be received the day before.
The service you experience with us is important. As these examinations are quite physical for the Sonographer and can by quite draining for you due to the length of time required, appointment times are offered over two days when bilateral studies are requested.
• Guided HCLA Injections / Aspirations
Appointments are required for these studies as we need to book you time with the Radiologist and an ultrasound room. If you, or your referrer, request a specific Radiologist please notify our team at the time of making your appointment and we will do our best to accommodate the request.
The Radiologist uses ultrasound to guide the needle into the affected area and cortisone and local anaesthetic are delivered to this region. The area injected may be different to where you feel your pain but rest assured that the cortisone is getting to where it needs to be.
Everyone has a different response to these procedures. If you have a limited response or no response at all to the injection it is important that you let your referring doctor.
• Guided FNA Biopsy
The Radiologist uses ultrasound to guide the needle into the lesion that needs to be biopsied and attempts to get an adequate number of cells for the cytologist to test. At RED Radiology we have a cytology technician present during the procedure. This technician prepares some of the slides to check that the sample acquired by the Radiologist is adequate for testing. This limits return visits for FNA biopsies due to non-diagnostic outcomes as a result of inadequate sample size.
• Obstetrics / Pregnancy
Here at RED we perform dating and viability, nuchal translucency, morphology and third trimester examinations.
Nuchal translucency examinations are performed by sonographers accredited with the Foetal Medicine Foundation (FMF).
All examinations require appointments, preparation and attract fees. Most of these studies will take 45-60mins.
It is essential you arrive 20 minutes early for these appointments to ensure adequate time is spent to assess your baby. Please notify us the day BEFORE your appointment if you no longer require your scan, especially when you have a morning appointment. A CANCELLATION FEE will be charged if notice is not provided. It is always very helpful if you can provide us with a reason for your cancellation to ensure we have addressed any issues with you before you cancel.
Please note: For twin pregnancy nuchal translucency scans the Foetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) advises that you attend a tertiary referral centre. RED Radiology is NOT one of these centres. Please contact your referring physician for clarification on locations that are tertiary referral centres.
• Echocardiography
An Echocardiogram is a specialised ultrasound examination of the heart.
Like other ultrasounds an echocardiogram uses sound waves to create images. It assesses the structure and function of the heart muscle and valves. An Echocardiogram provides your doctor with valuable information about the function of your heart, whether the valves are leaking or fail to open normally and/or whether there are any structural abnormalities, blood clots or masses.
At RED Radiology we have a specially qualified echo technician visit our rooms on a Friday to perform these examinations. Please phone our team to schedule an appointment.
The studies need to be booked consecutively; flexibility for these appointments is limited.Our best efforts will be afforded to you to arrive at a mutually agreeable time.
*Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
For x-ray, CT or MRI patients please advise our Reception team and/or Technicians if there is a chance you may be pregnant.
For CT and MRI please advise our reception team at the time of booking if you are currently breastfeeding.
Referrer
Patient