Preparing for your MRI visit

You will be asked to complete an MRI safety questionnaire before your appointment. This may happen when central scheduling makes your MRI appointment, in the Sentara MyChart app, or when you arrive at the imaging facility. It is very important to fill out the safety form to the best of your ability and with the correct information.

When you are scheduling your MRI, you will be asked about the following topics:

1. Review all the medications you take, including any vitamins or supplements, herbs, eye drops, creams and over-the-counter medicines. Ask if you should keep taking them before the scan.
2. Any and all surgeries you have ever had. It does not matter if surgery was 30 or 40 years ago.
3. Any blood thinner medication you are on, such as Heparin or aspirin
4. Any medical conditions you have
5. Whether you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding
6. Any allergies or other medical conditions you may have
7. Any tattoos on your body
8. If you have a birth control implant, such as an IUD
9. Any item in your body that you were not born with. Let us know about:
   • Any new joint, such as a man-made (artificial) knee or hip
   • Any implanted devices, such as a pacemaker or stimulator
   • Any ear implants (cochlear or stapes implant, etc.)
   • An artificial heart valve
   • Any eye surgery
   • If you have been a welder, metal worker, and/or had metal splinters removed from your eye(s).
   • A bullet/shrapnel left in place or any type of metallic fragment, such as vascular clips placed to prevent bleeding from blood vessels
   • A port for insulin or chemotherapy
   • Insulin pumps, glucose sensors/monitors, Neulasta, etc. – these cannot be worn into the MRI room. They will be damaged. Please be prepared and bring your replacement with you to the appointment, for after the MRI is completed.
10. If you require any special assistance (example: wheelchair, oxygen, etc.) or in a nursing home/facility. Please make the scheduler aware.
11. Any fear of small spaces (claustrophobia). You may need to contact your physician so they can prescribe medication to help you relax and reduce anxiety. If you choose to take medication, you will need to arrive 1 hour prior to appointment and bring a driver to accompany you for the exam.
    
    A technologist will notify you of the optimal time to take this medication, as there is a minimum waiting period prior to imaging on the scanner. Please note, our department does not supply or prescribe these medications.

You must arrive 30 minutes before your appointment time to complete paperwork and additional steps. If you are receiving an anti-anxiety medication, please arrive 1 hour before your appointment time.

Yes. These anti-anxiety medications can be prescribed by your ordering physician and filled by your local pharmacy. Please bring the medication with you to your appointment. A tech will notify you of the optimal time to take this medication, as there is a minimum waiting period prior to imaging on the scanner. Please note, our department does not supply or prescribe these medications.

No. We may need you to move into specific positions throughout the scan, so we do not offer complete sedation. If you are worried about claustrophobia, ask for an anti-anxiety medication to be prescribed so you can pick it up and bring it with you to your appointment.

Yes, some locations are able to access ports. We must have an order from your physician stating that we can access power port.

When the scan is complete, it is sent to a board-certified radiologist for reading. The report is typically sent to your physician within five business days.

Your test results will also appear in Sentara MyChart as soon as they are ready. We release most results to you immediately, so you may see them before your care provider does. Please give us time to review the results and follow up with you.

You should allow approximately two hours for your appointment from check-in to completion of the exam.