AT FAIRCHILD MEDICAL CENTER OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SERVICES OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY TO ALL WHO NEED US.
Our Imaging Team is Here to Provide State-of-the-Art Imaging for You.
Imaging Services at Fairchild Medical Center combines the latest techniques for non-invasive imaging studies with compassionate patient care.
Our staff is devoted to making our patients’ radiology experience as comfortable as possible. We do our best to ensure that our patients are never rushed in and out of our facility, and that all of their questions and needs are always given staff members’ full attention. We work hard to keep to our schedule and minimize patient waiting time.
our IMAGING SERVICES
At Fairchild Medical Center we offer state-of-the-art Imaging and diagnostic services for our patients. Click on the items below to learn more.
Computed Axial Tomography (CT Scan)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Diagnostic X-Ray
Ultrasound
Mammography
DEXA (Bone Density Scan)
Frequently Asked Questions
Nuclear Medicine
CT Scan
CT or a CAT Scan is an x-ray exam that involves an x-ray camera rotating around the patient to create special images. These images are best described as taking a loaf of bread and creating bread slices. The x-ray camera creates these slices by going very quickly around the patient as the patient moves through the camera beam. The machine looks like a very big doughnut with a small table that moves into the center of the machine. Each exam takes fifteen (15) to thirty (30) minutes.The exam usually requires the CT Technologist to start an IV and inject a small amount of “x-ray dye”, sometimes called “Contrast”, (a clear liquid with a small amount of Iodine) into your body. This dye goes directly into the blood vessels so that the Physician can interpret the blood flow into different organs in your body. Specific CT Scans also may use a type of Contrast that you drink before the exam. Each exam takes a different preparation, so be sure to ask the Receptionist what the preparation is for your exam.
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MRI
MRI is an exam that puts the patient into a magnetic field to create images. The procedure is very similar to a CT scan, as the machines look almost identical. The patient is asked to lie down on a narrow table that is moved into a doughnut shaped machine. The patient is asked to lie as still as they can for fifteen (15) to sixty (60) minutes depending on the area of the body to be imaged. MRI is different from a CT Scan as there is no radiation exposure to you. These exams take special preliminary screening to ensure that it is safe to bring the patient into the magnetic field. You will be called a day or two prior to the exam and asked preliminary questions. When you arrive for your exam, you will be given a second set of questions to answer and give back to the MRI Technologist. Each exam takes a different preparation, so be sure to ask the Receptionist who schedules your exam what the preparation is for your exam.
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Diagnostic x-ray
X-rays are the basic foundation of all imaging procedures. X-rays are used to look at bones, lungs, and other organs. Usually these exams are not scheduled and you are able to come whenever you are available. Most exams take less than ten (10) minutes, but some of the more specialized exams that involve fluoroscopy (motion images) can take an hour or two. The X-ray Technologist will ask you to remove any metal and sometimes have you undress and wear a hospital gown to ensure that any image artifacts that might be created by your clothing is removed. The Technologist will ask that you remain very still during the exam and you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds to help reduce movement.
If your exam involves fluoroscopy, be sure to ask the Receptionist what special directions are needed for your specific exam.
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ULTRASOUND
Ultrasound is a special imaging exam that employs sound waves to image different parts of the body. These sound waves are created at such a high pitch that we are unable to hear them, but like ripples on water, create waves that are interpreted by a computer into images. The exam usually takes thirty (30) to sixty (60) minutes. During the exam the Ultrasound Technologist will apply warm gel to a specified area of your body and move a special tool, called a transducer, across your body. This transducer creates the sound waves and also absorbs the resulting echo and sends the information to the computer.Different Ultrasound exams require different preparation. Please ask the Receptionist what special directions are needed for your specific exam.
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MAMMOGRAPHY
Mammography is a special x-ray that is designed to image the breast tissue with a small amount of radiation. This special machine squeezes the breast tissue so that the radiation that is needed is quite small, but the images that are created are very detailed. This exam usually takes fifteen (15) to thirty (30) minutes.
The only preparation required is that you avoid the use of anti-perspirants/deodorant, lotions, perfumes, etc as these could show up on your mammogram. When you arrive in the department, the Mammography Technologist will ask that you remove all of your clothing from the waist up and wear a special gown. All of our Mammography Technologists have passed advanced courses in Mammography and are all registered by the state or national boards.
Mammograms show abnormalities that are too small to be felt by you or your Physician. It is recommended that every woman over the age of forty (40) have an annual mammogram. If your previous mammogram was performed at another facility, please inform the Receptionist so that a copy of your last mammogram can be ordered to enable us to compare the two.
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DEXA SCAN
A DEXA Scan is an exam that uses very fine line x-rays to image the composition of your bones. It is used to determine if you, the patient, has or is in the process of developing Osteoporosis. The X-ray Technologist will have you remove all of your clothing, except your undergarments below your waist including your shoes. Then your height and weight are measured to help the computer determine your bone density. The exam takes fifteen (15) to twenty (20) minutes. During the exam you will lie on the exam table with your legs strapped together with Velcro and a positioning aid will be placed between your knees to assure proper alignment of your hip joints. A small X-ray tube will move over the top of your body creating the images that will determine the Bone Density. After the exam you will be asked to wait while the Technologist analyzes the images, and once analyzed you will be free to get dressed and leave.
Before the exam, you will be asked to refrain from taking calcium supplements two days prior to the exam and not have a CT Scan or an exam that uses Barium for at least one week before.
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radiology faqs
Do I need to do anything to prepare for my test?
Procedures other than computed tomography usually require no special preparation. For some procedures, it may be better to abstain from using talc or underarm deodorant prior to your test, or to abstain from eating or drinking. Your physician or a member of the radiology department staff will tell you about any necessary preparations before the day of your test.
How do I get the results of my test?
Your physician will receive a formal report from the radiologist who performs your procedure. In most cases, the radiologist reviews the scan as soon as the procedure is completed. If you have an appointment with your physician later in the day, your doctor will usually have spoken with the radiologist about your results by the time he or she meets with you. Patients having mammograms will receive a written report on their procedure at the time of their visit. If you do not have an appointment with your physician shortly after your test, ask your physician how the results of your test will be given to you.
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NUCLEAR MEDICINE
Nuclear medicine is a vital part of diagnostic imaging, and can be used to image organ function in ways that cannot be done with any other type of medical imaging.
In the summer of 2021, Fairchild Medical Center completed the renovation of our Nuclear Medicine suite, including the upgrade to the Siemens Symbia Evo dual-headed SPECT camera (pictured here).
This new, state-of-the-art, nuclear medicine camera allows for imaging of a wider variety of patients and the ability to image patients in their hospital beds or on gurneys - eliminating the need to transfer patients who are immobile or in severe pain.
Upgrading our nuclear medicine capabilities is part of our on-going efforts at FMC to maintain and increase access to care for patients. In addition to the new camera's advanced imaging quality, the new unit reduces radioactive exposure for patients by almost half and reduces the time required to complete imaging studies, thus improving patient experience.
The FMC Nuclear Medicine department is able to offer a variety of scheduled and emergency imaging services to our patients including myocardial perfusion studies of the heart, hepatobiliary studies of the gall bladder, lymphoscintigraphy studies of the lymphatic system and full skeletal bones scans for metastatic diseases.
Fairchild Medical Center is proud to offer 3-D Mammography to our patients and is a Mammography Accredited Facility.
3-D Mammography is also called “Tomosynthesis”, and is the most modern breast screening diagnostic tool available.
Conventional mammography images the entire breast in one exposure, which can hide abnormalities in overlapping tissue-especially in dense breasts. Both dense tissue and cancer can appear similar on a regular mammogram. The 3-D unit displays the images in slices so that doctors can see beyond the dense areas.
When used in breast cancer screening, the machine acquires both 3-D and 2-D images at the same time. Both types of imaging have advantages in detecting breast abnormalities. The whole procedure takes approximately the same amount of time as a traditional mammogram.
3D Mammography AVAILABLE
at Fairchild Medical Center
- Detects 40%+ more invasive cancers.
- Reduces time and money with 40% fewer callbacks.
- Is covered by most insurance.
- Advanced imaging with minimal exposure levels.
- Is available NOW at Fairchild Medical Center.
WHY CHOOSE 3-D?
FMC Mammography Team (left to right): Lindsay Awbrey, Suzie Skeen and Mary Ann Fitzgerald
our RADIOLOGY TEAM
SCOTT BLEAZARD, MD
Radiology
rebeca dyson, md
Radiology
peter halt, md
Radiology
MICHAEL MALONEY, MD
Radiology
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