MRI

The Davis County Hospital is very fortunate to have MRI in house to provide services to patients on a daily basis. The desire to provide excellent medical services to the community prompted Patricia Swab to name Davis County Hospital as a benefactor of her estate. Her request to use the funds for construction projects or equipment is what prompted Davis County Hospital to dedicate the funds to purchase the equipment.

 The Davis County Hospital also applied for and received a no interest loan to help provide the additional funds needed to complete the project. The loan was designed as a partnership with Citizens Mutual Telephone Company, the United States Department of Rural Development Rural Development and the Davis County Hospital. The revolving loan funds, once repaid by the facility, will be available for other organizations and facilities within the county to apply for.

 What is an MRI?

An MRI provides excellent anatomical detail without the use of radiation. MRI uses a strong magnetic field (far stronger than the earth’s magnetic field) that scans the hydrogen protons in the human body. Very sophisticated electronic hardware and computer software are used to produce the images on a computer screen. These images are then studied by a specialist

MRI scans are used to detect cancer in organs, tissues, injuries, disorders and disease of the musculoskeletal system; as well as diagnose brain and nervous system disorders such as stroke, tumors, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord conditions and diseases.

Preparing for an MRI

• There is not a special preparation for MRI scans. However, there are some important considerations.
• If you are claustrophobic (afraid of closed tight spaces) please mention this to your doctor. Your physician may choose to order a sedative for you, if so you will need to bring someone with you that can drive you home.
• Patients who have a pacemaker cannot have an MRI.
• Patients that have metal in their body (artificial joints, metallic valves, etc.) must let  us know when scheduling. These patients may not be able to have the scan.
• Patients that have had stents placed in their body within the last 2 months cannot have an MRI.
• Patients who have had brain or heart surgery (or angioplasty) need to check with their doctor to make sure that it is safe to have the exam.

Exam Day

Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to complete the registration process. You will need to enter on the south side of the building, and complete and present to the outpatient registration desk.

When it is time for the exam, patients are asked to complete a questionnaire prior to the scan. This information is gathered to ensure patients’ safety and to obtain the highest quality images possible. The technologist will then explain the procedure and answer any questions.

Due to the use of magnetic fields, clothing with metal and jewelry should not be worn as it may degrade image quality. Patients may be asked to wear hospital scrubs to avoid this problem.

Patients are assisted onto a table. The table will then slide the patient through the large circle, which is the magnet. The time a patient will spend in the magnet and the distance they will be in the magnet will depend on what type of MRI procedure is being conducted.

During the exam knocking a thumping sound will be heard, hearing protection will be provided.  The department has a large selection of music which is piped in to you during the procedure. If patients have a favorite CD or ipod they would like to bring the staff will be happy to accommodate those preferences.

For more information about MRI procedures contact the Davis County Hospital Radiology Department by calling 641-664-2145.