WHY DO YOU NEED A SCAN?

There are many reasons you doctor will request a scan for you. Your doctor will have your complete medical history. You will often have had other tests which will indicate to the doctor the type of scan that is best to further investigate your problem. They will decide which part of the body they want you to have scanned and will advise Manukau Radiology of the reason for the scan. Often various types of scans are required and your doctor may re-refer you to us for further imaging if the result of the first scan indicates further investigation is required. Your doctor will discuss this with you.

Some of the health problems that scanning can help diagnose are listed below.

MRI: Is particularly well suited to:

Diagnosis of injuries and degenerative conditions involving tendons and ligaments in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, spine, pelvis, knee, ankle and foot.

• It also compliments more invasive procedures that are sometimes used for repairing such injuries.
• Investigating the brain and spinal cord, where other methods of investigation may fail, especially in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, tumours and hearing loss.
• Imaging blood vessels, especially narrowing in the arteries of the neck, brain, body and limbs,
• Body imaging including the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, kidneys and small colon With MRI, usually one organ (as indicated by your doctor) is looked at in great detail.
• Pelvic imaging including the pelvic bones, reproductive organs and large colon.
• Breast imaging including tumour screening, staging and implant rupture.

CT: Is particularly well suited to:

• Diagnosis of injuries such as breaks (fractures) and dislocations of any bone.
• Investigating the brain, head and spinal column, especially bleeds, tumours, sinusitis and fractures.
• Imaging of all major blood vessels, especially with narrowings and aneurysms.
• Imaging of the chest, abdomen and pelvis. Can give an overview of entire area examined or provide detailed information of a specific areas.
• Imaging of the large colon to look for bowel cancer. as an alternative to Colonoscopy.
• Examining Bone Density, to diagnose and assess progress of osteoporosis.
• CT is not routinely performed during pregnancy.

YOUR REFERRAL:

Before you can have an appointment at Manukau Radiology for a scan you will need a doctor's referral Please ensure that you complete both the questionnaire and your details (including contact phone numbers and address) and fax the form through to us on 278 0988. If you do not have access to a fax machine your GP or chemist may fax it for you.

You can also scan and E-mail the form to us at: reception@mri.co.nz

Private patients: GP's or other medical practitioners can refer directly. Payment in full is expected on the day of your scan.

Private patients covered by insurance: You will need to provide us with a prior approval number. You will need to check with your insurer to see if they will cover your scan if your referral is not from a Specialist. We will send you an invoice which you will need to send your insurer with your claim form. They will pay us directly, and we will invoice your for any balance.

ACC Patients: MRI & CT referrals can only be requested by a Specialist. You will need to provide us with an ACC number which we will check to ensure that the number covers the area to be scanned requested by your Specialist. There is no additional payment.

We will usually contact you within 24 hours with an appointment time, but please feel  free to call us particularly if your scan is urgent. Every effort will be made to accommodate your needs

CMDHB Manukau Super Clinic patients: The referral will be sent directly to us from Middlemore Hospital and there is no charge to you. We will usually send you an appointment in the mail within 4 weeks of receiving your referral. If the request is urgent we will usually phone you with an appointment time.

When we make the appointment with you we will give you more information on the appointment, and may also send you written instructions and in some cases preparation to take.

To see a pictures of our facility and machines follow this link.

HAVING YOUR SCAN/PROCEDURE:

Please bring all your previous reports and films relating to your scan to your appointment. If you have previously had x-rays/scans at Middlemore Hospital or Manukau Super Clinic we will be able to access this information online.

You will be asked to complete a comprehensive safety questionnaires prior to your scan or procedure. This is to ensure that we can assess any risk that the scan or procedure may have to you. On your arrival at Manukau Radiology your personal details and questionnaire will be checked. You will then be asked to wait until you have your scan/procedure. At any time please feel free to ask the receptionist if you have any concerns.

In most cases there is no need to have anyone else in the room with you but should an escort be required that person will also need to complete a patient support questionnaire. This will ensure that they have no health or safety issues that would preclude them from being in the scanner room.

The MRT will introduce herself and escort you through to have your scan. You will change into a gown and the MRT will go through the questionnaire again with you again, explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have. You will then have your scan/procedure.

In most cases you will be able to leave MRI Ltd when your scan/procedure has been completed. If you have had sedation, contrast or other procedures you will be asked to remain at Manukau Radiology until the MRT or Radiologist tells you that it is safe for you to go. Instructions will be given to you at this time on your aftercare.

OBTAINING THE RESULTS OF YOUR SCAN FOLLOWING YOUR APPOINTMENT:

Private and ACC Patients

• Films/CD: Most Specialists request that you take your films/CD with you. You will asked to wait for a short time for your films/CD to be prepared in order for you to take them. If you have an appointment with your Specialist within 5 days of your scan please advise our staff. Other Specialists have requested that we send the films/CD directly to them with the report
• Reports: All examinations are double read by our specialist Radiologists. As soon as they are signed off they are either faxed or sent electronically to your Specialist. Your GP may request a copy from us.
• Follow up appointment with your Specialist: If you do not have a follow up appointment with your Specialist you should phone to advise them that you have had your scan.

Public Hospital Patients from Middlemore Hospital or Manukau Super Clinic

• Images (Pictures): We have a direct link to the Counties Manukau District Health Board (Middlemore Hospital and Manukau Super Clinic) computer system and the images are transmitted electronically almost immediately.
• Reports: Reports are transmitted electronically to the CMDHB system usually within 1-3 days. Your GP may be able to access these results from the CMDHB system.
• Follow up appointments at Manukau Super Clinic: Once you have had your scan here at Manukau Radiology you should phone the call centre to advise them that you were referred from to advise them that you have had their scan, so that a follow up appointment can be scheduled for you to receive your result.

PLEASE NOTE: It is in your best interests to see your referring doctor to receive and discuss your results. It is our policy not to release reports directly to patients.