St. Mary’s Medical Imaging Updates/Requests
This information was provided by Lori Chabot, Acute Imaging Operations Director, Peaks Region, and Director of Imaging Services, St. Mary's Medical Center & Pavilion Imaging
Questions? Email Lori.Chabot@imail.org
Pavilion Imaging 1.5T MRI upgrade will go Live May 22. The MRI team will continue to utilize the mobile trailer until mid-June to mitigate any backlog from the construction downtime.
All inpatients and patients coming through the Emergency Department should only have additional Imaging if it is related to the admitting diagnosis. If it is not related, it should be scheduled as an outpatient.
St. Mary’s is no longer able to offer MRI exams with IV sedation.
Patients should be evaluated by their medical provider for the need for oral pain or antianxiety medication and if deemed necessary these medications should be prescribed at the same time as the exam is ordered. This will ensure timeliness of the exam and comfort of the patient.
Please communicate with your patient about the expectations of the exam- needing to lay flat for an hour, etc. The patient should be told to pick up the prescription at their pharmacy and to take medications 1 hour prior to the scheduled exam.
Patients receiving pain or anxiety medications should also be told they will need a ride to and from their exam.
Providers ordering radiology exams that require contrast medium should evaluate their patient for contrast allergy and pre-treat accordingly. Any patient who has experienced symptoms after contrast or Iodine should be treated. Patients with a past major reaction should have a discussion with the Radiologist prior to ordering.
Recommended Protocol for Management of Patients with Iodine Allergy or Known Allergy to CT IV Radiographic Contrast Media
Consult radiologist as needed for moderate to severe reactions for potential alternative imaging options. Discuss risk vs. benefits with your patient.
Prescribe premedication to be initiated prior to scheduled CT scan
Recommended ADULT Premedication regime:
A. Prednisone - 50 mg tab by mouth at 13 hours, 7 hours, and 1 hour before contrast media injection, plus Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - 50 mg tab by mouth 1 hour before contrast media injection.
B. Methylprednisolone - 32 mg tab by mouth 12 hours and 2 hours before contrast media injection, plus Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - 50 mg tab by mouth 1 hour before contrast media injection.