MRI, Breast MRI, and MRA Patient Preparation Guidelines

In many cases, what you do before your appointment is just as crucial as what we do during the exam itself. Carefully review the preparation guidelines for your particular scan shown below.

Note: We work with your doctor to pre-register you and pre-approve your insurance coverage. If your exam is the result of a Workers' Compensation claim or a motor vehicle accident, we will verify this information before scheduling your appointment.

• Inform your referring physician if you have ever experienced claustrophobia. If necessary, medication can be prescribed before your appointment. Please note that medication is not available on-site. Also, if you receive medication, bring someone with you who can drive you home, because you will not be able to drive yourself.
• You may have certain restrictions on what you can eat and drink beforehand.
• Take your regular medications prior to the scan.
• Arrive 15 minutes early to complete a pre-screening questionnaire and use the restroom before your scan.
• Bring all insurance information, as well as any previous diagnostic films of the scan area (such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI scans).
• Leave valuables at home or in one of the lockers in our exam area. No metallic objects can be worn during your scan (e.g., watches, jewelry, keys, cell phones, hair pins, hearing aids, eyeglasses, coins, etc). Also, do not take any credit or bank cards in with you. The scanner will erase the information recorded on the magnetic strip.
• You may be asked to wear a hospital gown during the exam. Your own loose clothing will work, as long as there are no metal snaps or zippers.
• Remove any eye makeup for exams pertaining to the head and neck areas.
• Do not eat anything four hours prior to any abdomen exams. All other exams may resume normal diet.

Notify our staff in advance if you:

• Have implanted devices (e.g., pacemaker, aneurysm clips, stents, prosthetic heart valve)
• Have any serious health problems
• Have had any type of surgery within the last eight weeks
• Have ever had surgery on your brain, ears, eyes or heart
• Have had metal in your eyes or you work with metals
• Have a bone or joint replacement or any prosthesis
• Are or may be pregnant
• Are breastfeeding
• Are diabetic
• Weigh more than 350 pounds