Diagnostic Imaging Services

State-of-the-art Technology Meets Compassionate Care

Call 970-235-3100 for additional information or to schedule an appointment.

What to Expect in Radiology

• General X-Ray: An X-Ray (or radiograph) is a medical test using high frequency ionizing radiation to produce diagnostic images. Common X-Ray exams at EPH include imaging various areas of the spine, chest and abdomen exams, and orthopedic studies. Each exam differs in length, but a typical X-Ray exam is completed in less than 15 minutes.
• What to expect for your visit: Patients will arrive to our registration desk on the second floor of the hospital. Once registered, patients will be asked to wait in the lobby where a Radiologic Technologist will soon greet them for their exam. Depending on the area of interest, the patient may be asked to change into a gown or hospital provided shorts. The patient will either be standing or laying on our X-Ray table during their exam. The technologist will position the patient to obtain unique views required for our Radiologist to make an accurate diagnosis. Patient will receive their results on the UCH Portal within twenty-four hours.

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• Fluoroscopy: Fluoroscopy is a type of imaging procedure that uses ionizing pulse radiation to take “real-time” images of the internal organs. Our most common fluoroscopy exams require patients to swallow barium, which is an alkaline-earth metal with the consistency of a thick milkshake. The barium will act as a positive contrast agent and will appear radiopaque on the images. This will allow the Radiologist to visualize any pathology in the area of interest. In August 2023, we installed our new fluoroscopy machine, an Axiom Luminos Agile Max, which offers high quality images for less radiation to the patient and staff!
• What to expect for your visit: Most fluoroscopy exams require the patient to be NPO (“nothing by mouth”), meaning they are restricted to what they can eat or drink prior to their exam. For our barium studies, patient should not eat or drink eight hours prior to their exam (however, they can take their prescription medications with a small amount of water prior). Patients will arrive to our registration desk on the second floor of the hospital. Once registered, patients will be asked to wait in the lobby where a Radiologic Technologist will soon greet them for their exam. Since fluoroscopy exams often require barium, we ask our patients to change into a gown to prevent any barium from getting on their clothes. Most of our fluoroscopy exams are completed within an hour and will have their results posted on the UCH Portal the same day.

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• Mammography with Tomosynthesis: A mammogram is a diagnostic imaging procedure performed to image breast tissue to detect breast cancer using low amounts of radiation. There are two kinds of mammograms: screening exams and diagnostic exams. A screening mammogram is a routine exam meant for patients who do not have symptoms of breast cancer, whereas a diagnostic mammogram is meant for patients who present symptoms of cancer. Mammograms are a common exam for both women and men.
• What to expect for your visit: Patients are asked to not wear deodorant or lotion around the armpits or breasts prior to their arrival and men are encouraged to shave their chest prior. Patients will arrive at our registration desk on the second floor of the hospital and be asked to complete a mammography history form. Once registered, patients will be asked to wait in the lobby where a Radiologic Technologist will soon greet them for their exam. Patients will then be asked to change into a gown. Most screening exams are completed within twenty minutes and most diagnostic mammograms are complete within forty-five minutes. Patients will receive their results in their UCH Portal within thirty days from their appointment, but often results will be posted sooner.

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• DEXA (Dual Energy Xray Absorptiometry) Scan: A DEXA machine uses very low levels of radiation to measure the bone mineral density of a patient. This data is then compared to a young and healthy adult of your own age, gender, and ethnicity. The Radiologist will compare the bone mineral densities with any prior DEXA’s a patient has had at EPH. Our exams require two separate views on the body: an AP projection of the lumbar spine and an AP projection of one hip. We are excited to announce EPH will be installing a new DEXA machine in late 2023!
• What to expect for your visit: All DEXA patients will be reminded not to take any calcium supplements twenty-four hours prior to their scheduled DEXA appointment. The reason we ask patients to not take their calcium supplement twenty-four hours prior is because calcium pills take longer to absorb in the stomach and intestines. Oftentimes, the calcium pill with show up in the DEXA scan and can cause abnormal results. The patients are encouraged to wear clothing that doesn’t have any metal (to include zippers and bras with underwire), otherwise we will ask patients to change into a gown upon arrival. Patients will arrive to our registration desk on the second floor of the hospital and be asked to complete a DEXA history form. Once registered, patients will be asked to wait in the lobby where a Radiologic Technologist will soon greet them for their exam. DEXA results are read by our Radiologist and will be posted on the UCH Portable within forty-eight hours of the exam appointment.

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• Ultrasound: Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is the measure of echoes throughout the body in the form of sound waves. These high frequency sound waves produce images of the body’s organs or the blood flow through veins and arteries without using any radiation. We received a new ultrasound machine in December 2022 which allows us to extend our ultrasound services to include diagnostic breast ultrasounds.
• What to expect for your visit: Most Ultrasound exams require some form of patient preparation prior to their arrival. If a patient is undergoing an abdomen ultrasound, a strict NPO (“nothing by mouth”) restriction is in place where the patient cannot eat or drink any liquids for four to six hours prior their scan. If a patient is getting a kidney or bladder ultrasound, the patient will need a full bladder prior to their arrival. Patients will arrive at our registration desk on the second floor of the hospital. Once registered, patients will be asked to wait in the lobby where a Radiologic Technologist will soon greet them for their exam. Depending on the area of interest, the patient may need to change into a gown. The average ultrasound exam is completed within thirty minutes and the results will be posted on the UCH Portal within twenty-four hours after their appointment.

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• Computer Tomography (CT) Scan: A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-Rays and computer technology to produce images. CT provides the Radiologist with excellent detail of the bones, muscles, fat, organs, and blood vessels inside the body. EPH installed our new machine, the Somatom.go Perspective 128 Slice, in April 2023.
• What to expect for your visit: Most CT exams require the use of IV contrast. For patients receiving contrast, the CT technologist is required to review patients’ most recent lab values. If you are over the age of 60, you must have a lab draw representing your GFR and Creatinine values within thirty days of your scheduled appointment. Since patients will be getting an angiocath IV (meaning a non-butterfly IV), patients are encouraged to drink water prior to their exams. Please speak to your ordering provider for a list of NPO (“nothing by mouth”) restrictions for specific exams. Patients will arrive at our registration desk on the second floor of the hospital. Once registered, patients will be asked to wait in the lobby where a Radiologic Technologist will soon greet them for their exam. Depending on the area of interest, the patient may be asked to change into a gown. Most CT exams are completed within fifteen minutes and results will be posted in the UCH Portal within twenty-four hours.

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• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): An MRI is a noninvasive medical imaging test that uses a large magnet and radiofrequencies to produce a diagnostic image. The magnet we have at EPH is an Altea model, which is a 1.5 Tesla wide bore machine. This machine is open on both ends of the magnet, allowing patients to not feel as enclosed. Our Altea was installed in June 2022.
• What to expect for your visit: An MRI technologist will review your chart prior to your exam to verify you are safe to enter the scan room. You will be asked to complete an MRI Screening Form prior to your appointment or upon arrival. We encourage every MRI patient to wear clothing without any metal (zippers, buttons, and bras with underwire/clips) and to remove all jewelry. Some MRI exams require the use of IV contrast. For patients receiving contrast, the MRI technologist is required to review patients most recent lab values. If you are over the age of 60, you must have a lab draw representing your GFR and Creatinine values within thirty days of your scheduled appointment. Patients are encouraged to drink water prior to their exams. Patients will arrive at our registration desk on the second floor of the hospital. Once registered, patients will be asked to wait in the lobby where a Radiologic Technologist will soon greet them for their exam. We will provide our patients with a locker in our dressing room where our patients can safely secure their belongings during their scan. The area of interest will be placed in an MRI coil (or camera). The area of interest will be in the center of the magnet during the entirety of the scan. MRI generates a lot of noise while capturing the images and patients will be given a headset with the option to listen to music. Each exam varies in length, but most exams are completed within thirty minutes. Our Radiologist will read their MRI and the results are posted on the UCH Portal within twenty-four hours after the patient’s appointment.