X-Ray

What to expect

• Preparing for your appointment

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  Before your appointment. please notify the radiology department if you had a similar X-ray recently or are a woman who is or might be pregnant. 

  Duration

  The type of X-ray and your ability to move around will determine your time with the X-ray team; taking a single X-ray will last only a few minutes. However, some examinations require that we take X-rays in different positions, and it usually takes at most 5-10 minutes. More complex imaging or the team taking x-rays of more than one body part requires more time. Count on being in the X-ray department for up to 30 minutes. 

  The X-ray department services the entire hospital and may be interrupted to do emergency cases before you. If there is a delay, we appreciate your patience.

  Bringing a support person

  They will only be permitted to accompany you into the x-ray room in exceptional circumstances. Children under 12 years are not allowed to accompany you in the room, nor are they allowed to wait unattended in the waiting room. Hospital staff is not responsible for your child while you have your x-ray.

• During the scan

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  Room set-up

  You will be cared for by a technologist (or radiographer), and the Radiologist will examine and report on your x-ray images. Radiologists are doctors specially trained to interpret images and carry out more complex examinations. Technologists are highly trained and support Radiologists in carrying out X-rays and other imaging procedures.

  The technologist will explain the procedure for your examination and show you to a private changing room where you may remove your garments. Depending on the type of x-ray required, they may ask you to put on a hospital gown.

  You will be taken into the x-ray room, where you will sit/stand/lie down against an imaging plate or part of the x-ray machine. Although the technologist will go behind a screen, you will always be seen and heard. The technologist will ask you to stay still and sometimes take a deep breath and hold it for a few seconds.

  Comfort

  The scan will be overall comfortable, however, the technologist may have to physically assist you in moving your body into different positions for the X-ray, which may be briefly uncomfortable.

• Getting your scan results

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  A radiologist will examine the images after your visit and a written report on the findings will be sent to your referring doctor.  The information is usually available in 14 days.