MONAHRQ Demo - Imaging

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Imaging. Diagnostic imaging lets doctors look inside your body for clues about a medical condition. Different machines and techniques can create pictures of the inside of your body. The type of imaging your doctor uses depends on your symptoms and the part of your body being examined. They include: *X-rays. *CT scans. *Nuclear medicine scans.
*MRI scans. *Ultrasound. Many imaging tests are painless and easy. Some require you to stay still for a long time inside a machine which can be uncomfortable. Some may expose you to a small amount of radiation. During some tests you receive a contrast dye, which makes parts of your body show up better in the image. In most cases an MRI scan is not necessary when low back pain first starts unless your doctor recommends it. An MRI scan is needed if the pain last longer than 3 to 6 weeks or if your doctor feels there may be a need for surgery. Because most low back pain goes away on its own, getting an MRI scan too early may create confusion for the patient and the doctor.1 In very rare cases, the dye used in CT can cause allergic reactions. Some people experience mild itching or hives (small bumps on the skin). Symptoms of a more serious allergic reaction include shortness of breath and swelling of the throat or other parts of the body.2 (1 Handout on Health Back Pain. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain. 2 Computed Tomography (CT) Scans and Cancer Fact Sheet - National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/diagnosis-staging/ct-scans-fact-sheet)

Select to Compare Hospitals for this Topic. Comparing hospitals can help you spot potentially problematic safety concerns for hospitals you're considering. Comparing hospitals can help you make better health care decisions for you and your loved ones. Tips / Checklist: Tell the medical staff immediately if you experience any reactions to dye used in imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet. Before you get a scan, tell your doctor if you: *Are pregnant. *Have pieces of metal in your body (if you have a shrapnel or bullet injury or if you are a welder). *Have metal or electronic devices in your body, such as a pacemaker or artificial joint.

WHY SHOULD YOU COMPARE? All hospitals are not the same. Some are better overall, some are not so good. Some do well in some areas of care but not in others. Comparing hospitals helps: Spot potentially problematic safety concerns for hospitals you're considering. Make better health care decisions for you and your loved ones. Show you how hospitals you're considering perform in critical safety areas. Talking with your doctor shows you want to be a partner in your care. It also helps remind your care team to take certain actions to keep you as safe as possible. Select to Compare Hospitals for this Topic. Find hospitals that perform best in the areas you care about.

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