Digital X-ray Guide
Fact Sheets | Diagnostic Imaging
Digital X-ray Information
Preparation
You are not required to undertake any advance preparation for an X-ray. Once at Melbourne Radiology, you will be taken to a change room. You will be requested to remove relevant clothing and jewellery and to wear the provided examination gown.
All metal objects, such as keys, clips, buttons, coins and mobile phones, must be removed from the path of the X-ray beam.
Some body parts which are sensitive to radiation may be protected with a lead shield. The area to be examined will need to be exposed but the rest of you will be covered. You will be placed between an X-ray tube and an X-ray cassette and asked to lie still whilst the X-ray is taken (less than a second). You may also be asked to hold your breath.
The X-ray equipment used at Melbourne Radiology Clinic is digitised and therefore provides superior image quality and a lower radiation dose than standard X-ray units.
Procedure
Some X-ray procedures take a short amount of time and others may take longer depending on the complexity of the examination and the number of X-rays required. X-rays may be taken from several different angles so that the doctor can gain as much information as possible. We can give you an indication of the duration of your appointment either when you make a booking, or upon arrival.
FEMALE PATIENTS
If there is any doubt, a different test that doesn’t use X-rays may be performed. If no substitute test is appropriate, then the test may be cancelled pending further confirmation as to whether you are pregnant or not. X-rays may be harmful to the unborn child. The risk of harm from a diagnostic X-ray scan in an adult is very small and balanced against the risk of not performing the scan. The information gained from an X-ray, such as an early diagnosis and treatment, may have significant health benefits.
Imaging
Your X-rays will be taken by a university-qualified radiographer who is qualified in conducting the X-ray.
Once performed, you will be given the X-rays either by way of film and/or a CD. If given to you in film, you are requested to keep your X-rays at home, stored in a flat position in a dry,cool place.
Results &
Follow-Up
One of Melbourne Radiology Clinic’s specialist radiologists, a medical doctor specialising in the interpretation of medical images for the purposes of providing a diagnosis, will then review the images and provide a formal written report. If medically urgent, or you have an appointment immediately after the scan to be seen by your doctor or health care provider, Melbourne Radiology Clinic will have your results ready without delay. Otherwise, the report will be received by your doctor or health care provider within the next 24 hours.
Please ensure that you make a follow up appointment with your referring doctor or health care provider to discuss your results.
Your referring doctor or health care provider is the most appropriate person to explain to you the results of the scans and for this reason, we do not release the results directly to you.