HealthFirst Medical Group

Providing excellent healthcare in a warm and caring environment.

Welcome

Welcome to the HealthFirst Medical Group Diagnostic Center.  HealthFirst Medical Group opened the Diagnostic Center in March of 2004 to meet the needs of our patients for diagnostic testing.  The HealthFirst Medical Group Diagnostic Center provides MRI, MRA, CT Scan, Echocardiogram, Upper and Lower Extremity Arterial Doppler, Carotid Doppler, Venous Doppler studies and Bone Densitometry services to HealthFirst Medical Group patients.  Our equipment is state of the art and our staff is highly skilled and trained.  We make every effort to ensure a high level of comfort and convenience for our patients.  We welcome any comments or suggestions you may have.

About Appointments and Hours

Your physician’s office will make your appointment at the Diagnostic Center.  Please bring your insurance card and a photo I.D. with you to your appointment.  Please contact the Diagnostic Center 24 hours in advance if you are unable to keep your appointment.  The Diagnostic Center is open from 8:00AM to 5:00PM, Monday through Friday.

About MRI’s and MRA’s

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a combination of a large magnet, radio frequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body.  In addition, the Diagnostic Center can perform Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA).  The MRA is used to view blood vessels in specific areas of the body.

About your MRI or MRA Exam

You will be advised by your physician’s office or the Diagnostic Center of any preparation required for your exam.  Some diagnostic procedures include the use of contrast.  “Contrast” refers to a substance taken by mouth or IV that allows the particular tissue under study to be seen more clearly.  MRI uses only IV contrast and it does not contain iodine.  For your comfort you may wear loose fitting clothing with no metal closures.  After you have removed all jewelry, you will be asked to lie down on the scanning table.  If contrast material is to be given, an IV line will be started in your arm or hand.

The table will slowly move into the scanning area.  The MRI staff will be in another room where the controls are located.  You will be in constant sight of the staff through a window.  The staff will communicate with you through speakers located in the scanner.  During the exam, you will hear a gentle drumming sound from inside the scanner.  Immediately following the scan, you may resume normal activities.

Toshiba Excelart MRI

About CT Scans

Computed Tomography (CT) combines the use of X-Rays with the latest computer technology.  This results in a 2-D view referred to as a “Slice” of a particular part of your body.  A computer reconstructs these slices to produce actual pictures.  Certain types of CT scans require contrast.

About Your CT Scan

Should contrast be necessary, you will be advised to fast for a specific period of time prior to your scan.  If oral contrast is to be used, you will be given the contrast and instructions by your physician’s office or the Diagnostic Center.  Those persons allergic to iodine should notify their doctor prior to such exams.  For most CT Scans you will be asked to wear loose fitting clothing and remove all jewelry.  When the exam begins, the table will move to a starting position, pause, and then move to the final scanning position.  On the table, you will be surrounded by a donut-shaped “gantry”, which houses the X-Ray tube.  There is very little noise produced by the gantry.  During the scanning, you will be required to be very still and hold your breath for just a few seconds.  You may resume normal activity upon completion of your scan.

About Echocardiograms

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that produces a moving picture of the heart using sound waves.  There is no radiation exposure and the picture produced of the heart is more detailed than an x-ray.

About Your Echocardiogram

Your physician’s office will make your appointment at the Diagnostic Center.  There is no preparation necessary.  When the test begins the Sonographer will place electrodes on your chest.  Then a gel will be used to prep the chest area.  The Sonographer will use a transducer (an instrument that produces high frequency sound waves) over your ribs and directed toward your heart.  The transducer picks up the echoes of the sound waves and converts them into electrical impulses.  The echocardiography machine converts these impulses into moving pictures of the heart.  You may resume normal activity immediately following the test.

About Upper and Lower Extremity Arterial Doppler Studies

An Arterial Doppler Study uses sound waves to produce images of the arteries to evaluate the arterial blood flow in the upper and lower extremities (arms and legs).

About Your Arterial Doppler Study

Your physician’s office will make your appointment at the Diagnostic Center .  There is no preparation necessary for the study.  The Sonographer will apply gel to the area to be examined.  A transducer (an instrument which produces high frequency sound waves) will be used.  The sound waves will be converted to electrical impulses which are converted to moving images of the blood flow in the upper or lower extremities.  You may resume normal activity immediately following the test.

About Carotid Doppler Studies

A Carotid Doppler Study uses sound waves to produce images of the carotid arteries in the neck to evaluate the speed and direction of blood flow.

About Your Carotid Doppler Study

Your physician’s office will make your appointment at the Diagnostic Center .  There is no preparation necessary for the study.  The Sonographer will apply a gel to the neck area.  A transducer (an instrument that produces high frequency sound waves) will be used on the area to be examined.  The sound waves are converted to electrical impulses which are converted to moving pictures of the blood flow in the carotid arteries.  You may resume normal activity immediately following the test.

About Venous Doppler Studies

A Venous Imaging Study uses sound waves to produce images of the veins to evaluate the speed and direction of blood flow through the veins.

About Your Venous Doppler Study

Your physician’s office will make your appointment at the Diagnostic Center .  There is no preparation necessary for the study.  The Sonographer will apply a gel to the area that is to be examined.  A transducer (an instrument that produces high frequency sound waves) will be used on the area of veins to be examined.  The sound waves are converted to electrical impulses which are converted to moving pictures of the blood flow in the veins.  You may resume normal activity immediately following the test.

About Bone Densitometry

Bone Densitometry is a study done by using a bench bed, an x-ray emitter, and a reader that is equipped with sophisticated software.  The goal of this process is to find a measurement of the patient’s bone mineral density, which will be used for the diagnosis and study of metabolic bone diseases and osteoporosis.

About Your Bone Densitometry

This test will be ordered by your physician.  No preparation is necessary.  When the test begins, you will be placed on a bench bed and the machine will begin to scan over your lower spine and hip.  The entire procedure will take about 30 minutes, and you will receive the results from your physician.

About Your Insurance

Your doctor’s office will provide the Diagnostic Center with the necessary information to verify your insurance and complete referral or precertification requirements.  Our staff will notify you, in advance, of the amount that you will be required to pay on the day of your exam.  This amount is an estimation of your portion that has been verified with your insurance plan.

About Payment

Payment is due at the time of service unless prior arrangements have been made.  For your convenience, we accept cash, checks, Master Card, Visa, and Discover credit cards.

About Confidentiality

We consider your relationship with HealthFirst Medical Group Diagnostic Center to be a confidential matter.  Authorization forms are available, should you wish any information to be released to a third party.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if we may be of service.