When you attend Melbourne Radiology Clinic, even though you may not see our radiologist, a doctor-patient relationship is formed and the privacy of this relationship is protected by law. This means that we can only release the results of your test to people who are authorised to receive it (such as your referring doctor and other doctors who may subsequently be involved in your care). We cannot release your results to anyone else or other party without your consent.
Should you require more information regarding our privacy policy then please contact us either on 9667 1667 or via email.
All patients at Melbourne Radiology Clinic attend our clinic of their own will and are never coerced into undergoing any scan. Should you change your mind at any time, please let us know immediately so that we may instantly terminate the scan. We will endeavour to provide you with as much information as possible so that you may make a fully informed decision prior to any scan and/or procedure. At Melbourne Radiology Clinic you have the right to be treated with dignity, respect and courteously. Please do not hesitate to contact our Practice Manager should you have any further queries.
Once you have completed all your scans, the images are sent electronically to our specialist radiologist who analyses them in conjunction with your referring doctor's notes to provide a diagnosis, or where this is not possible, an opinion. You may require further testing after this point, which may include blood tests or additional radiological examinations.
Our results may be delivered in a number of ways, including via secure internet access (in which case they are received instantly), via courier, post and fax. If required we can fax the report or deliver the results over the phone if urgent.
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.
If you are having an MRI or CT scan, it is possible that you may require a certain intravenous substance known as contrast, often referred to as a "dye".
Contrast enters the bloodstream and then enters certain types of tissues in the body, therefore highlighting the difference between normal and abnormal tissue (thus the name "contrast"). The contrast used for MRI and CT is different.
You will be provided an extensive information sheet to read prior to your scan that will inform you of the benefits and risk of administering contrast. At this point you will then be required to sign a form which formally documents that you have read the information, you have had the opportunity to ask questions and you formally give permission ("consent") for contrast to be administered.
The contrast we administer is NOT radioactive and is removed via the body through the kidneys (urine) and liver (into the bowel)
Melbourne Radiology Clinic understands that patients may be concerned about possible radiation exposure, however this must be put into perspective and should be considered along with the possible benefits of the scan, such as an early diagnosis.
At Melbourne Radiology Clinic only a CT, and X-ray examination use radiation; an MRI or ultrasound scan does NOT.
Large doses of radiation are known to cause cancer, however it is little known that we are exposed to radiation everyday from the atmosphere and outer space (cosmic rays). For example, a single Chest X-ray is equivalent to the increased exposure to cosmic rays we receive when flying to London, or alternatively, equates to approximately 9 days of cosmic ray exposure on the ground. For those who are smokers, the risk of dying from smoking related cancer (20 cigarettes per day for one year) is two thousand times greater than the risk of dying from a chest X-ray related cancer.
For additional information please read:
Patient Guide to Radiation Safety
This factsheet aims to provides further information about radiation safety and to place the radiation a patient is exposed to in context with the radiation we receive on a daily basis from other sources.
The equipment used at Melbourne Radiology Clinic is registered with the Environmental Protection Authority and complies with the Radiation Control Act (1990). Our equipment is modern and undergoes regular servicing. All of our practices and protocols are continually reviewed under our Quality Assurance program and are designed to minimise the dose of radiation delivered to you without compromising image quality.
All our staff are appropriately qualified and possess the necessary training to operate equipment that emits radiation. If you are at all concerned, please discuss this with your doctor, our staff or radiologist. It may be that a different test, that does not use radiation is available as an alternative, though please be aware that the alternative type of scan could be more expensive or not as accurate as the originally requested test.
Melbourne Radiology Clinic strictly adheres to the universal precautions according to the Department of Health and Human Services, Victoria and as such, all equipment is sterilised, single use only and disposed of appropriately.
Feedback from our patients is actively encouraged. You can leave your feedback about your experience at the clinic via a hand written note at our reception desk in our feedback box or by either calling 9667 1667 or via email info@melbourneradiology.com.au.
Contacting us directly is often the quickest and easiest way to resolve any issue or concern you may have. Please send us your issue or concern in writing and email this to our Practice Manager at info@melbourneradiology.com.au
Alternatively you may speak with our practice manager by calling 9667 1667.
If you believe your issue or concern is not resolved to your satisfaction, then you are entitled to contact either the Victorian Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) on 1300 582 113 or via their website https://hcc.vic.gov.au/ and/or contact AHPRA https://www.ahpra.gov.au/