Ultrasound
(General Diagnostic and Cardiac)
Ultrasound utilizes high frequency sound waves to produce images on a video screen. These images assist physicians in diagnosing conditions affecting the spleen, liver, stomach, gallbladder, kidneys, thyroid, breast, testes, deep veins & cartoid arteries, pancreas, brain, lymph nodes, and heart. It is also a valuable tool in prenatal care to determine the health and growth of the fetus.
Advanced ultrasound equipment can also detect faulty heart valves and perform transesophogeal echocardiography.
Day Kimball Hospital utilizes four state-of-the-art ultrasound units to provide both general diagnostic ultrasonography as well as cardiac and peripheral vascular ultrasonography. All exams are performed by registered RDMS Sonographers. The department is accredited by the American College of Radiology, and provides patients with prompt, courteous service along with rapid test results turn around time to the ordering physician. Day Kimball’s outpatient diagnostic services have been rated highest in patient satisfaction in Connecticut by an independent, national survey.
Services Provided
- General diagnostic ultrasonography of the abdominal, pelvic areas, and breasts
- Peripheral vascular imaging
- Obstetrical ultrasound
- General echocardiography
- Stress echocardiography
- Carotid duplex scanning
What to expect during your visit/procedure
The average ultrasound examination takes one hour.
Stress echocardiography procedures are more involved and require a stress test, which can take up to two hours.
All procedures will require the application of ultrasonic gel on the body part to be scanned and a transducer placed against the skin in order to acquire ultrasonic images.
Loose clothing is also recommended for these types of procedures.
Patients will be called in advance to verify their appointment, location, and time.
Technologists are not able to discuss results.
Printed results will be available through the patient’s ordering physician three to four days after the procedure has been performed.
Ask the ordering physician for specific study information and preparations relative to the procedures that they are requesting.
Stress echocardiogram also requires following certain preparations for stress testing.
Important reminders/things to remember
Bring all current insurance cards.
Legal guardians need to be in attendance of any patients under the age of 18 for studies requiring injections and for patients who cannot sign or comprehend consent or screening forms.
If a patient needs an interpreter or is hearing impaired, please let us know in advance and the department will make appropriate arrangements prior to the study.
Read all preparations carefully. They are important to the completion and diagnostic quality of the study. Failure to do so could result in a poor quality study or a rescheduling of the test.
Bring all requisitions or paperwork that the ordering physician has given to the procedure location.
Plan to arrive at the facility or registration area 15 minutes prior to test time.
Most results will be reported to the ordering physician within three to four working days. STAT exams are called or faxed.
All examinations will only be performed with the written request of a physician.
Patients will receive two bills, one from Day Kimball Hospital for performing the procedure and one from Team Physicians of CT for interpreting the procedure.
Cardiac ultrasound patients will receive two bills, one from Day Kimball Hospital for performing the procedure, and one from the cardiologist for interpreting the results.
Internet Resource Links
- http://www.RadiologyInfo.org/ |
