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Diagnostic Imaging

What is diagnostic imaging?

The use of state-of-the-art technology to take pictures and videos of the body to provide doctors and nurses with an inside look into the body. This is done by professionally trained and experienced radiology technologists. This assists doctors and nurses in determining a diagnosis and available treatment options. In addition, it helps them gather information on how their patients can stay healthy.

Depending on the condition and questions being asked, different imaging technology is used:

General Radiography (X-RAYs)

General Radiology

A general radiography (X-ray) is an important diagnostic tool and the most basic form of diagnostic imaging. X-rays are used to create images of the body’s internal structures. These images are used to detect abnormalities in bones, lungs and other internal organs.

X-Ray Availability

  • Outpatients between the hours 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.
  • Inpatient and Emergency patients are readily available from 7:00am to 7:00pm Monday to Friday and Weekends 10:00am to 6:00pm.
  • All hours between 7:00pm and 7:00am are on an Emergency On-Call Basis.

X-Ray Exams Typically Done

  1. General Radiography
  2. Trauma Radiography
  3. OR Radiography
  4. Mobile Radiography

For more information about X-rays and to learn more about possible risks, methods and how to prepare, click here.

Ultrasonography (Ultrasounds)

Ultrasound

Ultrasound exams are imaging studies that use sound waves to look at soft tissues in your body. While most often associated with pregnancy, ultrasound is used to look at a variety of body parts.

Ultrasound Availability

  • Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm

Ultrasound Studies available at WGH

  1. Abdomen

Patient Preparation: Do not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to your appointment.

If you are also having a pelvic done, please follow pelvic prep as well.

  1. Pelvic

Patient Preparation: Please finish drinking two bottles of water an hour ahead of your scheduled appointment time and do not empty your bladder.

  1. Obstetrical

Patient Preparation: Please finish drinking two bottles of water an hour prior to your appointment and do not empty your bladder.

  1. Breast
  2. Small Parts
  3. Venous Doppler
  4. Masses

For more information on what to expect when having an ultrasound, please view this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ1hcEQl7ks&t=6s

Mammography

Mammography

A mammogram is an x-ray exam to look at breast tissue.

Diagnostic Mammograms are done on a referral basis from your Health Care Provider (HCP) on a woman under 50, or any person who has breast symptoms, such as:

  • Palpable lump
  • Breast pain
  • Nipple discharge
  • Skin changes

Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP)

Weeneebayko General Hospital has been an Ontario Breast Screening (OBSP) site since 2008. The OBSP is a province wide organized breast screening program managed by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) which ensures that eligible Ontario women receive the benefits of regular screening at a site providing high quality services that are accredited by the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR). Women attending the OBSP will receive their normal screening result letters in the mail. Women with abnormal results will have assistance in coordinating any follow up tests. Invitations, recalls and reminder letters are all part of the program.

A referral from a doctor is not needed for women attending OBSP.

Please refer below to see if you are eligible to attend the Ontario Breast Screening Program:

  • You are an Ontario residents 50 to 74 years of age
  • You do not have any acute breast symptoms
  • You do not have a personal history of breast cancer
  • You do not have current breast implants
  • You have not had a mastectomy
  • You have not had a mammogram within the last twelve months

Patient Prep

  • Do not wear any deodorant, body lotions or talcum powder
  • Bring health card
  • Register 15 mins before appointment

Talk to your Health Care Provider (HCP) with any questions you may have about having a mammogram.

HCP should fax all requisitions for mammography to IPS referrals at referralsIPS@kingstonhsc.ca for a patient booking to be made.

WAHA is affiliated with the Ontario Breast Screening Program. Through this affiliation, WAHA works in collaboration with Timmins and District Hospital (TDH) to provide the clients in the region access to the Rapid Breast Assessment Clinic. This allows WAHA clients being examined for breast disease to receive a diagnosis within 4-6 weeks, even if further testing is done at TDH through MRI’s and biopsies.

Source: Cancer Care Ontario, Ontario Breast Screening Program Backgrounder, Celebrating 20 years of the Ontario Breast Screening Program.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Computed Tomography (CT)

Computed tomography, (CT) also known as a CT or CAT scan, is an imaging procedure that uses special x-ray equipment to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. Unlike a typical x-ray, multiple images, also known as slices, are taken. The images then appear almost like the slices in a loaf of bread.

An X-ray technologist, who has special training in CT Scanning, will perform your scan and the images are then read by a radiologist, who is a doctor with special training in computed tomography. The technologists operating the CT scanners are registered with the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario.

CT Availability

  • Outpatients: Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm
  • Emergency and Inpatients: on call basis

Please inform us immediately if you have any allergies to medication, chance of pregnancy or weigh more than 600lbs.

Instructions for the day of your exam:

  • Fast 4 hours before your appointment time (no eating or drinking)
  • Follow his/her normal medication schedule unless directed otherwise
  • Do not wear any jewelry or metal clips in hair

A CT Scan can be done on the following areas of the body

  1. Head/brain
  2. Neck
  3. Spine
  4. Chest – lung, heart
  5. Abdomen – liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, stomach and bowels
  6. Pelvis – ovaries, prostate, bladder
  7. Upper limbs – shoulders, elbows, wrists and hands
  8. Lower limbs – Hips, knee, feet and ankles
  9. Veins and arteries
  10. 3D reconstructions of body parts and tissues

For more information on what to expect when having a CT Scan, please view this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHu9aa0QDiE

Holter Monitoring (Heart Tests)

Heart Monitors

Holter Monitor

  • A heart monitor with a 3 lead hook up
  • Normally worn for 24 or 48 hours, cannot remove device at any point
  • It will record the entire time it is worn

For more information, please visit Home Cardiographics

Cardiac Event Recording

  • A heart Monitor with a 2 lead, single channel hook up
  • Normally worn for 2 weeks
  • Patients remove electrodes and replace after bathing
  • Only records when patient pushes a button during episodes
  • Must be uploaded by land line once the device is full. (6 events)

For more information, please visit Home Cardiographics

PACS System (Computerized X-Rays)

As there is no radiologist on site, the PACS system and telemammography have significantly reduced delays in having test results reviewed by the specialist. With this advanced technology, test results can now be sent the same day by computer to the Radiologist at the Timmins Hospital for further interpretation.

WGH was the first hospital in North America to use telemammography starting in 2005.

Location

WAHA’s Diagnostic Imaging Department is located in Weeneebayko General Hospital (WGH) in Moose Factory and services the whole WAHA region.

PocketHealth Online Form:

Accessing and Viewing Images

Online access to imaging records through PocketHealth

Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA) now offers patients and their families access to their medical imaging records online. Once patients enroll for access they can view their entire medical imaging history at WAHA or even burn to their own CD/DVD/USB from home. There is a $5 fee at the time of enrolment, and it includes permanent access to all previous imaging records as well as new exams patients undergo over the following two weeks.  Please note that an extra fee of an additional $5 will be charged for imaging records requested after two weeks.

Patients can visit the PocketHealth website via this link or fill out the paper form they are handed at the time of their registration and submit it to any WAHA Medical Imaging staff.

Appointment referrals:

Appointments for the Diagnostic Imaging Department are done through Health Care Provider referrals only. Health Care Provider should fax all referrals to referralsIPS@kingstonhsc.ca for a patient booking to be made. If applicable, a transportation sheet will be sent to the non-insured health benefit department (valid status card required).

OBSP clients do not need a physician referral as long as they fit the criteria.

There are scheduled patient runs from the coastal Health/Nursing Centres for status Indians. For other patients traveling to Moose Factory for business or other reasons, WGH will do its best to schedule an appointment.

Appointment rescheduling or cancellation:

It is important for patients to keep their appointments. To cancel or reschedule an appointment, please call (705) 658-4544 ext. 2305.

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