Helpful websites:www.imagegently.org

www.fda.gov/cdrh/ct/what.html

[ www.subrad.com ]

your scheduled appointmentDate:________________ Time:________________ Location:q Blaine q Coon Rapids q Maple Grove scheduling line: 763.792.1999

Minimizing the risksAs part of the Image Gently campaign, Suburban Imaging has pledged to: • Image when there is a clear medical indication • Use the least amount of radiation needed for a quality diagnostic exam • Image only the indicated area • Limit multiple scans • Recommend alternative diagnostic imaging studies (such as ultrasound or MRI) when indicated

Suburban Imaging is also accredited in CT, MRI and ultrasound by the American College of Radiology. This accreditation entails meeting stringent requirements of staff qualifications, equipment standards, quality assurance and safety guidelines.

Alternatives to CTIn some cases, CT is the best exam to make health care decisions. Other diagnostic studies that do not use x-rays include ultrasound and MRI. These studies can sometimes provide similar information that a CT would collect, but they may not be as useful. Additionally, MRI is a longer exam and may require sedation, which we do not administer to pediatric patients.

If you have questions or concerns about CT exams, please speak with your healthcare provider. If you have additional questions before your child’s appointment at Suburban Imaging, please ask a CT technologist or ask to speak to a radiologist.

> >

< <

FOR PARENTS: RADIATION SAFETY AND CT

quality medical imagingexperienced subspecialty radiologists | state-of-the-art technology

what parents should know about

Radiation Safety and CT

What is a CT?Computed Tomography (CT) – sometimes called a CAT scan – obtains images of the inside of the body by sending low dose ionizing radiation in the form of x-rays through the body.

How is CT different from an x-ray exam?During a conventional x-ray exam, low dose x-rays pass through the area of the body being imaged and are stopped by bones, organs and tissue to create 2D images.

For CT exams, a specialized x-ray detector inside the CT machine rotates around the area being imaged. As low dose x-rays pass through the body, the detector collects image data from different angles. A computer system joins the images together to make 3D cross-sectional views.

Image from an x-ray exam Image from a CT exam

The images from a CT scan provide more information than a conventional x-ray exam. < <

quality medical imagingexperienced subspecialty radiologists

state-of-the-art technology

> >

Before you scheduleWe require that your child is able to understand simple instructions to ensure an adequate study. We do not administer anesthesia or sedatives to pediatric patients (ages 0-15). Therefore, your child must be able to lie still for the exam, which takes about one minute, to obtain the best possible images. If you think your child is unable to do this, please talk to your healthcare provider about scheduling this exam at a children’s hospital.

During and after the examA highly-skilled CT technologist will assist your child on to a cushioned, moveable table. The table will move slowly through the CT machine, which is shaped like a donut. We recommend that you stay in the room with your child during the exam to offer encouragement and reassurance.

The images from the exam will be interpreted by a board-certified subspecialty radiologist, a doctor who has extensive training and expertise in medical imaging. The findings will be sent to your healthcare provider, who will contact you to discuss the results.

Benefits vs. risksSince x-ray exams and CT exams use x-rays to obtain images, the patient is exposed to trace amounts of radiation. Because CT uses more x-rays, there is an increase in radiation exposure.

An indicated CT exam provides detailed and useful information that outweighs any potential risk. A CT exam can verify the expected causes of symptoms the patient is experiencing and can also find unexpected causes. It can help decide the best treatment options, avoid unnecessary tests or surgery and improve health outcomes.

Suburban Imaging has procedures in place to ensure that each exam is appropriate for each patient. Our radiologists and CT technologists are also members of the international Image Gently campaign. This campaign is an initiative of the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging and educates medical professionals and parents about steps to lower the radiation dose in the imaging of children.

radiation safety and CT