What to Expect

Ask Your Doctor About a DXA Scan With a TBS

A trabecular bone score (TBS), which can be done during your DXA scan, allows your doctor to assess your risk of fractures more accurately, with no additional radiation or time needed. Compared to a DXA scan alone, a TBS and a DXA scan together can better identify your risk of an osteoporotic fracture, leading to a more accurate diagnosis, earlier prevention and faster treatment. Ask your doctor for a referral for a DXA scan with a TBS.

Before Your Exam

No special diet or preparation is required for this exam. We recommend wearing separates.

How Is a DXA Scan Performed?

Once in the exam room, you’ll be positioned on a padded table. X-ray equipment will be located below you and an imaging device will be above. The detector will slowly pass over the area being examined, generating images on a screen. You must keep still and may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds during the scan to reduce the possibility of a blurred image.

After Your Exam

Results from your DXA scan will be delivered to your ordering physician between two and 10 days. You may also access your medical records online by creating an account with AdventHealth. If you have any questions regarding your exam, please don’t hesitate to ask your technologist. It’s important to us that all your concerns and questions are thoroughly addressed.

Watch Our What to Expect Video

In our brief video, we explain how to prepare for and what to expect during and after your DXA scan, so you can feel confident.

Watch Now

Before Your Exam

Be sure to inform the technologist if you have any allergies or believe you might be pregnant since a contrast agent may be used for your test. A contrast agent is a safe, liquid substance that makes certain tissues stand out more clearly and enables the finest details to show up on the X-ray, improving diagnostic accuracy.

Also, when using sedation or general anesthesia, some exams may require you to avoid food or liquids before the exam.

How Is a CT Scan Performed?

You’ll be positioned on a moveable exam table and will get an IV line for the contrast agent, if needed. Your technologist will then step into a control room to activate the machine. The scanner will make a noticeable mechanical noise — that’s just the X-ray tube and its rotation around your body. You may also be asked to hold your breath during some portions of the exam.

After Your Exam

Results from your CT scan will be sent to your doctor within 24 to 48 hours. Upon request, CDs or films can be printed following the exam.

If the CT included contrast, you can resume a normal diet, but should be sure to drink plenty of water to flush the contrast from your system. If you were given contrast and you’re taking Metformin for diabetes, do not take this medication for 48 hours.

If you have any questions regarding your exam, don’t hesitate to ask your technologist. It’s important to us that all of your concerns or questions have been addressed.

Watch Our What to Expect Video

In our brief video, we explain how to prepare for and what to expect during and after your CT scan, so you can feel confident.

Watch Now

Now Offering Calcium Scoring CT Scans

Calcium Scoring CT scans are now available at a discounted rate! This non-invasive exam of the heart calculates your risk of developing coronary artery disease by measuring the amount of calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. Even if you currently do not have symptoms, this picture of your heart will put your mind at ease. Physician order required.

Before Your Exam

A nurse will call you the day before your procedure to review any preparations for your scheduled procedure. During this time, you should also arrange for an adult to be present for the post-procedure instructions, to take you home and to remain with you after immediate discharge. For your safety, your procedure may be canceled if these arrangements aren’t made.

On the day of your procedure, please arrive at least two hours before your appointment and bring a list of your medications.

How Is Interventional Radiology Performed?

You’ll be escorted to our pre-procedural area where you’ll change into a gown and if needed, the clinical team will draw blood for lab work.

The procedure itself can vary widely depending on your needs — from performing a biopsy to draining fluid, inserting a venous access device or opening narrowed blood vessels. The interventional radiologist (and an anesthesiologist if sedation is required) will discuss the specifics of your procedure with you before getting started. An anesthesiologist will monitor your sedation throughout the entire procedure if sedation is required.

When your procedure is finished, you’ll be transported back to the recovery room. Exam times vary greatly, depending on the type of procedure.

Before Your Exam

You’ll be asked to change into MRI scrubs. It’s important to remove all metal or electronic items from your clothing, hair and pockets. You should also notify your technician if you have any metal or electronic devices, such as pacemakers, stents, filters or screws that may interfere with the MRI scan and results, or if you’re claustrophobic.

How Is an MRI Performed?

You’ll be positioned on a moveable exam table, and if needed, given an IV so a contrast agent can be injected. Devices called coils may also be placed around the area of your body being studied, and you’ll be given earplugs or headphones to minimize the noise and help you relax.

When you’re ready, the examination table will move into the MRI unit and the machine will begin capturing images. You’ll likely hear tapping or thumping sounds when the radio-frequency pulses are activated.

After Your Exam

Results from your MRI will be sent to your ordering physician. Your doctor may request CDs or a report following the exam.

Watch Our What to Expect Video

In our brief video, we explain how to prepare for and what to expect during and after your MRI, so you can feel confident.

Watch Now

Before Your Exam

• Download the AdventHealth app to stay informed and get updates
• Refrain from wearing deodorant, talcum powder or lotion under your arms or on your breasts
• Wear a two-piece outfit to your exam
• Complete a breast history form to be discussed with the technologist
• Let us know if there’s a possibility you’re pregnant

How Is a Mammogram Performed?

You’ll be escorted to the dressing room and asked to undress from the waist up. A gown will be offered in place of your clothing so the technologist can access your breasts easily in the exam room.

When you’re ready, the technologist will position your breast in the mammogram machine, where it will be briefly compressed. This keeps it from moving and makes the layer of breast tissue thinner, allowing for a sharper image. A 3D mammogram may be performed by acquiring multiple breast images at different angles to create a 3D picture of the breast.

The exam may be uncomfortable for a few seconds but shouldn’t be painful. A simple repositioning may help, so make sure to let your technologist know if you experience any discomfort.

After Your Exam

Our radiologists look for any sign of abnormality, including asymmetries, irregular areas of increased density and clusters of small calcifications.

The results from your mammogram will be delivered to your ordering physician between two to 10 days. A summary of your report will be mailed within 10 to 30 days. Having CDs from previous mammograms will help accelerate the process. You may also access your health record online by creating an account with AdventHealth.

If you have any questions regarding your exam, please don’t hesitate to ask your technologist. It’s important to us that all your concerns and questions are thoroughly addressed.

Watch Our What to Expect Video

In our brief video, we explain how to prepare for and what to expect during and after your mammogram, so you can feel confident.

Watch Now

Before Your Exam

You’ll receive specific instructions based on the type of nuclear scan being performed. These instructions may include things like dietary restrictions or the need to stop certain medications prior to the procedure.

As with any test, it’s important to inform your doctor or the technician about any medications you’re currently taking, any allergies you may have and any recent illnesses.

Many people who suffer from claustrophobia are able to tolerate our scan due to the openness of our scanner. However, if you’re concerned that this could be an issue, please contact your ordering physician to obtain medication to bring to your appointment.

Please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing without zippers, clasps, buckles, buttons or any metal. Metal objects — including jewelry and hairpins — should be left at home or removed prior to the exam.

How Is Nuclear Medicine Performed?

As the procedure starts, you’ll be given the radiotracer either by intravenous injection, in pill form or mixed with food. For the scan, you’ll be asked to lie very still on a padded table while the scanner acquires the diagnostic images. The length of the imaging varies based on the test you’re having.

After Your Exam

You may leave as soon as your exam is completed. Unless you’ve received special instructions, you may eat, drive and resume normal activity. You may also take all prescribed medications. If you took a sedative for anxiety before the scan, please arrange to have someone drive you home.

Results from the procedure will be sent to your ordering physician within two business days. If you have any questions regarding your exam, please don’t hesitate to ask your technologist.

Since imaging can be a frightening to a young child, our team of physicians, pediatric technologists, child life specialists and pediatric nursing staff are specially trained to help your child understand their imaging procedure, and put them at ease. And, each of our radiologists is qualified in pediatric radiology, so they can accurately analyze and interpret the images of our littlest patients.

MRI - What to Expect for Children
MRI - What to Expect for Parents

Before Your Exam

If you think you might be pregnant, are currently breastfeeding, have any iodine allergies, or suffer from claustrophobia, please let your doctor or technician know prior to your exam.

To ensure your body absorbs the radioactive sugar properly, please follow these instructions:

• Avoid alcohol, chewing gum and caffeine 12 hours before your exam
• Bring a snack with you to eat after the exam (once the nurse or technologist gives you permission)
• Don’t eat or drink anything except water for four hours before your exam
• Stop using nicotine at least two hours before your exam
• Stop vigorous exercise at least 24 hours prior to your scan

Unless instructed otherwise, take all prescribed medications on the day of your appointment. If you’ve been advised not to take medications on an empty stomach, please wait until after the exam is complete to take your medications. If you are diabetic or insulin dependent, you may take your medication or insulin four hours prior to the scan with a low-carbohydrate meal.

You may be asked to change into a hospital gown for the scan. Otherwise, wear loose, comfortable clothing without zippers, buckles, buttons, wires or any metal. It’s best not to wear jewelry, since you’ll most likely be asked to remove it.

How Is a PET-CT Performed?

At the start of your exam, a technologist will inject a small amount of radioactive glucose into your arm. You’ll then be asked to sit alone quietly, remaining very still for 60 minutes. This gives the tracer ample time to circulate through your body.

For the scan, you’ll be asked to lie on a padded table, which moves slowly through the scanner’s chamber as it captures the information needed to generate diagnostic images. A technologist will be stationed in a nearby room. They are present throughout the exam and able to communicate with you through an intercom.

While the actual scan takes approximately 20 minutes, the entire process can take up to three hours, so plan your day accordingly.

After Your Exam

You may leave as soon as your exam is completed. Unless you’ve received special instructions, you may eat, drive, resume normal activity, exercise and take all prescribed medications. Drink plenty of water and fluids throughout the day after the exam and empty your bladder frequently to flush the glucose tracer from your system. If you took a sedative for anxiety before the scan, please arrange to have someone drive you home.

Due to the type of radiation used for this study, you shouldn’t be in close contact — any closer than five feet — with children or pregnant women for the remainder of the day.

Results from your procedure will be sent to your ordering physician within two business days. If you have any questions regarding your exam, please don’t hesitate to ask your technologist.

Before Your Exam

If there’s any chance of pregnancy or you have a known contrast allergy, please discuss with your referring physician before the exam begins.

Some minimally invasive fluoroscopy procedures for spinal imaging may require the discontinuation of blood thinner medications. Please discuss with your referring physician if that type of exam is ordered for you.

You’ll most likely be asked to change into a patient gown, as clothing can show up in the images. Most exams are relatively quick, but exam times will vary based on the images and views ordered. Some fluoroscopy procedures take longer because you have to be given the contrast agent before the procedure.

How Is an X-ray Performed?

For routine X-rays, you may be asked to stand, sit, or lie on a table. You may also be asked to hold your breath for a short time. Following the directions of the technologist and radiologist are very important to achieve the best images possible.

After Your Exam

Routine X-rays should require no recovery. Some fluoroscopy procedures may require some post-procedure instructions, and those will be provided to you. Results will be shared with your ordering physician. You may request the results from your exam by contacting the AdventHealth Medical Records office.

• All Relevant Prior Films
• A Photo ID
• Appropriate Paperwork (see forms)
• Your Insurance Card
• Your Prescription and/or Order

For your convenience, AdventHealth and AdventHealth Imaging offer payment plans for copays and out-of-pocket expenses; however, these payment plans cannot be combined with self-pay discounts.

Both AdventHealth and AdventHealth Imaging will provide an estimate of your copay or out–of–pocket expenses before your imaging exam. Simply call our Patient Financial Services Department, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, with questions about insurance, payment and estimates.

We’re currently offering a 75% discount when the entire payment is made at the time of service.

Our group of radiologists, Radiology Specialists of Florida (RSF), will bill for services separately and offer a 50% discount if you’re a self-pay patient.

The self-pay rates shown are only applicable at AdventHealth Imaging locations within a hospital setting.

For more information, please contact AdventHealth Patient Financial Services Department at Call407-303-0500 or visit their website.

When the entire payment is made at time of service, we offer a 50% discount and will honor any competitor’s price (simply mention the name of the competitor and their fee for service). This self-pay pricing only applies at free-standing Imaging Centers, not hospital-based locations.

RSF doesn’t bill patients separately from AdventHealth Imaging Centers, and you will not receive a separate bill from them.

For more information, please contact AdventHealth Imaging Centers' Patient Financial Services Department at 407-303-3370.

Note: Insurance coverage varies by location. Please call in advance of your appointment to confirm if your plan is accepted.