Radiology
CT, ultrasound, xray, and MRIs are available 24/7.
MRIs should ONLY be performed in the ED when it affects immediate clinical management. This includes Code Cord or imaging that will change a person's disposition. If a patient is to be admitted anyway, they likely do NOT need an emergent MRI.
We have an Emergency Radiology division in the Department of Radiology, staffed with emergency radiologists who also participate in our M&M conferences. There is always an attending radiologist available with a radiology resident in the reading room during daytime hours. Overnight, only a radiology resident is physically present in the reading room. However, an attending should be available by phone at all times.
As of 3/2016, the CT weight limit is 450lbs and diameter limit is 48-50cm. Our MRI weight limit is 350lbs with a diameter limit of 55cm.
Uploading Outside Images
Patients are frequently transferred from other hospitals with outside images stored on CD or stored over the cloud using a service called Ambra. Ambra is a cloud-based image transfer service that has been established with many area hospitals.
Ambra
To get to the Ambra system, click the Ambra link at the top of the ED Dashboard.
For more detailed instructions, refer to the PDF at the end of this page.
Physical CD Upload
For patients possessing physical CDs with radiology images, bring it to the radiology reception desk across from the Xray suite. There should be a red phone next to the desk, and a sign that gives you instructions on how to get the CD to the Image Archive tech. Depending on the time of day, the sign will instruct you to:
Give the CD directly to the radiology receptionist
Put the CD in the plastic bin, write your information in the log book, and pick up the red phone which connects immediately to the Image Archive tech. Tell him/her that you have a CD to upload, then hang up the phone. They will come down in 5-10 minutes to grab the CD.