About Your Visit

About Your Visit to Saint Pete MRI

If you have been referred to Saint Pete MRI for diagnostic imaging or sleep center services, you understandably have questions about your upcoming visit. Here is the information you need to know to make your visit a success.

First, if you have questions about your potential diagnosis, it is important that you speak to your referring physician. He or she knows your specific circumstances and can best advise you about why you are being referred for the testing, what your condition might entail, and what the next steps will be after your doctor receives the results of your test.

**Please note that we require appointments for most of our services. Some we are able to accommodate on a walk-in basis.

Please bring a photo ID, your health insurance card, and your doctor’s orders for the test you are having. If you do not have health insurance, please contact us to learn about our fees and payment policies.

You will receive specific instructions for preparing for your tests. In some cases, there will be no preparation. In a few cases, you will need to have someone drive you to and from your appointment. Most of the time, you will be able to resume your normal activities immediately after testing. If you have questions about preparing for your test, please contact us and ask prior to your appointment. Also, please read any information that you are given in advance of your appointment.

Preparation for Imaging Studies

Many imaging studies do not require any preparation. If you are having an x-ray or an echocardiogram, for example, there is no preparation at all beforehand other than answering your technologist’s questions.

For high-field MRI, some of our patients require sedation. If you do, you will need to have someone drive you to and from your appointment. You will not be able to drive, operate heavy machinery, or do anything else that is potentially dangerous until the sedation has completely worn off.

If you are having an ultrasound, you might need to prepare, depending on what part of the body is being scanned. For example, if you are having a pregnancy or pelvic ultrasound, you might need to drink water beforehand. If you are having an ultrasound of your gallbladder, you might need to avoid eating anything for six hours before the exam. Please refer to the instructions that you have been given and follow them carefully.

Patients having a CT scan might need to drink a barium liquid. This provides contrast during a gastrointestinal scan. Other patients having a CT scan or an MRI might need to have contrast dye injected or placed in an IV. Let the technologist know if you have ever had trouble with contrast dye of any kind. Also, follow the instructions and arrive at the time you are advised to so you can have the dye administered in advance of your appointment, if applicable.

Depending on the test you are having, your doctor will have your results back within two business days (for imaging tests) and one week (for sleep tests). Please be sure to follow up with your physician after this timeframe so he or she can continue to monitor your condition and proceed with treatments or more testing as needed.

Thank you for trusting your health to Saint Pete MRI.