HOW TO PREPARE

MRI examinations require authorisation from your medical aid which our Practice will obtain on your behalf. You remain responsible for any shortfall or non-payment by the medical aid.

• You will need a referral note from a specialist for an MRI procedure.
• MRI examinations require authorisation from your medical aid which our Practice will obtain. You remain responsible for any shortfall or non-payment by the medical aid.
• Private patients are expected to pay for the procedure on the day of the procedure.
• Some of the MRI procedures may require an injection for contrast. Please indicate to the radiographer if you have impaired renal function.
• You will be asked to complete a questionnaire relevant to your procedure. Please do so honestly.
• Certain implanted devices may prohibit you from going into the magnetic field. Please notify the radiographer of any implanted devices before you enter the MRI room.
• Some patients experience claustrophobia(fear of tight spaces) in the MRI tunnel(gantry)- if you suffer from claustrophobia, please inform the radiographer and/or receptionist at time of booking or prior to going into the MRI room- Sedation may be needed.
• If you require sedation you should arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
• Sedation shall be provided by attending anaethetist and may incur additional costs.This will be explained to you in further detail by our admin staff members.
• The MRI machine is a large powerful magnet, therefore when changing into procedure gown, please remove ALL metal items, including but not limited to belts, earings, rings and hairclips and leave it in the changeroom (Lockers will be provided). Any metal object in the MRI room can become a projectile and injur you or the radiographer and/or damage the machine.
• Production of images by MRI is motion sensitive – please ensure to lie still during the procedure to optimise image quality

WHAT TO EXPECT

• The procedure will take between 20 and 60 minutes depending on the type of procedure
• You may be asked to change into a procedure gown for the examination.
• You will be placed on the bed that will move into the MRI tunnel. The tunnel is open on both ends.
• You will be given a button to push should you require the attention of the radiographer during the procedure. The Radiographer will sit outside the MRI room and will be present throughout your scan.
• The machine will make a loud knocking noise while it is scanning. The scan periods vary from 1 minute to 10 minutes at a time.  You will be wearing ear plugs, provided by us, to block out the noise.
• You must lie very still while the knocking noise is heard as that is the time the images are being captured.
• You may be given breathing instructions during the scan.
• It is not a painful procedure but maintaining the position may be uncomfortable. We do try and make you as comfortable as possible.
• If your procedure requires contrast, a needle will be placed into a vein through which the contrast will be injected. Please indicate if you have any renal problems prior to receiving the contrast.
• In some procedures a catheter or coil may be required to be placed in your rectum for contrast to be filling your rectum. (MR prostate) The placement of the catheter/coil will be done by a trained nurse or the radiologist and with much discretion as possible.
• The results following your MR examination should be ready within 2 hours of the procedure being completed. Your doctor will discuss the results with you.
• You may resume normally following the procedure. If you received sedation however, you should let someone else drive you home.