COVID-19 Safety Precautions and Sterilization

 To Our Guilford Community

ALL GUILFORD RADIOLOGY STAFF HAVE BEEN FULLY IMMUNIZED AGAINST THE COVID-19 VIRUS.

Now more than ever, the safety of our patients, community and staff is our top priority. Our staff is fully trained in Covid-19 screening, safety precautions and sterilization technique. We remained committed to our referring providers and patients and have been open throughout the pandemic, while continuing to maintain a clean safe facility.  Trust the staff at Guilford Radiology to take care of you and your family’s medical imaging needs in a patient friendly, convenient outpatient environment for the safest, most comfortable exam possible.

Our facility is clean, Safety is our primary concern

  • Our entire office gets a complete deep cleaning nightly.
  • Exam rooms and equipment are thoroughly disinfected after each patient, from mammography paddles to the CT & MRI bores, to the exam tables, counters, and areas of patient contact.
  • We are maintaining CDC and the state of CT guidelines. All staff and patients are required to wear appropriate face masks and staff wear other required PPE.  Patients without an acceptable mask will be provided one.
 

Covid Safety Patient Screening Form

 

New patient flow in place ensures no contact with other patients

  • All paperwork can be completed prior to your exam, forms are available on our website.
  • Patients can choose to checkin in our waiting room or wait in their car.
  • If you choose to check-in in our lobby, comie in and stop at the front desk, please arrive at your requested time and enter our comfortable clean reception area with your ID, insurance card and order (if applicable) in hand.
  • If you prefer to wait in your car, when you arrive for your appointment, please call our office (203-453-5123) from your car. 
    • You will be instructed when to enter where a technologist will greet you at the opened door.
  • After your exam the technologist will escort you out of the office.
  • We have staggered patient exam times to avoid congestion and reduce any unnecessary potential exposure.
  • Please do not bring anyone with you to your exam as we are trying to reduce traffic in our office, special accommodations can be made as needed.

Guilford Radiology is committed to your health and safety. 

  • Kameron Shahid, MD -- Guilford Radiology President
  • Michael Johnson, MD -- Covid-19 Safety Officer
  • Sharynn Gendron -- Office Manager

Musculoskeletal MRI Quick Reference Guide for Physicians

Because MRI can give such clear pictures of soft tissue structures near and around bones, it is usually the best choice for examination of the body's major joints. MRI is widely used to diagnose sports-related injuries, injuries related to trauma as well as degenerative changes in the joints. Using MRI images, we can locate and identify the cause of pain, swelling or bleeding in the tissues in and around the joints and bones. The images allow us to clearly see even very small tears and injuries to tendons, ligaments and muscles and even some fractures that cannot be seen on x-rays. In addition, MRI images can give us a clear picture of degenerative disorders such as arthritis and deterioration of joint surfaces. MRI is also useful for the diagnosis and characterization of infections and tumors involving bones and joints.

Some of the more common musculoskeletal applications are listed below.

Routine MRI exams of the joints are done without contrast. If an infection or tumor is suspected, the study should be ordered without and with contrast. Please see the MRI Arthrography Physician Quick Reference Guide for further details regarding this topic.

Knee MRI

MRI of the knee is a very common and useful examination. It is the imaging test of choice in diagnosing and characterized tears of the meniscus. In addition, MRI can diagnose tears of the cruciate and collateral ligaments and surrounding tendons. MRI is very sensitive to diagnosis fluid within the knee as well. 


Knee MRI performed by Guilford Radiology, 2010

Ankle MRI

MRI of the ankle is a useful study in evaluating the tendons of the ankle. MRI is also useful in evaluating for plantar fasciitis, ligament tears, arthritis, fractures and other causes of ankle pain such as sinus tarsi syndrome, nerve entrapments and osteochondral lesions.

Hip MRI

MRI of the pelvis and hip is very useful in determining the source of either acute or chronic pain in the pelvis. The common causes of pain in the hip and pelvis includes: fractures, muscles strains, muscle tears, bursitis, arthritis and AVN.

Bone and Soft Tissue

MRI is an excellent test to evaluate the bones and soft tissues of the extremeties. X-rays are usually initially obtained. The MRI can be used to further evaluate findings on x-rays (or a CAT scan or bone scans), or can be used to further evaluate the cause of the patient’s symptoms when the x-ray exam is negative. MRI is excellent to evaluate the soft tissues as well.

CPT Codes:

MRI Lower Joints

MRI Upper Joints

MRI Lower Non-Joints

MRI Upper Non-Joints

Patient Preparation

For the MRI exam, if your patient is claustrophobic or anxiety is a problem, you may wish to prescribe a mild sedative to be given prior to the study. No other pre-visit preparation is necessary. Patients will need to remove all jewelry, hairclips, pony-tails and bobby pins. In addition, the patient will need to remove all clothing containing metal. This would include bras with metal enclosures and jeans with metal zippers and buttons. Your patient will be provided a gown and a secure locker in which valuables can be placed.

Patient Weight Limit

Our MRI equipment has a weight limit of 440 pounds.

Ready to Order a Test for your Patient?

General Information

MR imaging uses a powerful magnetic field, radio frequency pulses and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures. MRI does not use ionizing radiation (x-rays). Detailed MR images allow physicians to better evaluate various parts of the body and determine the presence of certain diseases that may not be assessed adequately with other imaging methods.

Contraindications

Patients with cardiac pacemakers, ICD, or neuro-stimulators CAN NOT have an MRI. Patients with pins, plates, screws and joint replacements, stents & filters can have an MRI as long as it has been 6 weeks since placement of the device. Women who are pregnant should avoid having an elective MRI. Women who are pregnant and need an MRI should be individually evaluated for risk vs. benefits and should avoid an MRI in the 1st trimester of pregnancy.

How Does Your Patient Prepare?

A current creatinine (within 45 days) is needed on all patients over the age of 60, as well as patients that have high blood pressure, diabetes, acute vascular disease, or a history of kidney disease. Please fax these results with the order. Patients will need to remove all jewelry, hairclips, pony-tails and bobby pins. In addition, the patient will need to remove all clothing containing metal. This would include bras with metal enclosures and jeans with metal zippers and buttons. Your patient will be provided a gown and a secure locker in which valuables can be placed.

Risks

Although the strong magnetic field is not harmful in itself, implanted medical devices that contain metal may malfunction or cause problems during an MRI exam.

There is a very slight risk of an allergic reaction if contrast material is injected. Such reactions usually are mild and easily controlled by medication. If you experience allergic symptoms, a radiologist or other physician will be available for immediate assistance.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is currently a recognized, but rare, complication of MRI believed to be caused by the injection of high doses of MRI contrast material in patients with very poor kidney function.

What Happens During the Test?

You will be asked to lie down on his back on the scanning table. The table will then slide into the scanning area. During the test, the MRI will make a rapid tapping noise. Some MRI examinations may require an injection of contrast material into a vein in the arm. Your experience and comfort are of key importance. Therefore, you can watch TV, be offered earplugs or a music headset; in addition blankets are also available. You should relax and remain still during the exam. Plan 60-90 minutes of total clinic time. The scan time can vary from 30-60 minutes depending on the study. You may resume normal activities following the MRI.

The Results

A radiologist will analyze the images and send a signed report to the referring physician within 1 business day.

Contact us

Address:
1591 Boston Post Road, Suite 106
Guilford, CT 06437

Phone:
(203) 453-5123

Hours:
M-F 7:30AM to 5PM Late Wed. until 7PM
Sat. 8AM to Noon

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