Diagnostic Testing

 Computer Tomography (CT Scan)

Westfield Hospital's Imaging Department utilizes a Philips 16 slice CT system which enables CT Technologists to perform this imaging covering a large area of the body in a single breath-hold, thereby reducing radiation exposure to the patient.

What to expect during a CT Scan:

• You will lie on a table that glides into the opening of the scanner. You will hear humming and swooshing noises as the pictures are taken.
  
  
• CT Scans sometimes require the use of contrast, either intravenously or by mouth, to enhance blood vessels and organs and highlight the area being imaged. If the contrast material is to be administered intravenously, then a catheter tube is inserted into an arm vein, and you can expect to feel a warm, flushing sensation that lasts one or two minutes as the contrast enters your body.
• A CT Scan takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the area of the body being scanned.

Patient preparation for a CT Scan:

• Intravenous contrast is sometimes administered for CT Scans. If a contrast is required, then you must bring a list of all medications, dosage, and how often the medications are taken.
• You will be required to fast for three hours before your CT Scan. No food or liquids should be consumed during this time and your physician will advise you about taking medications during the fasting period.
• If your abdomen or pelvis is being scanned, then please make sure that you do not eat or drink after midnight the night before. You will need to drink a flavored liquid that coats the stomach to allow for better visualization of these organs. You will be given instructions when to drink the Barium Prep before your scheduled CT Scan.
• Once your CT Scan is completed, you may resume your normal diet, but it will be necessary to increase the amount of fluids you drink for several hours so that the contrast material is flushed from your system.
• You may resume normal activity immediately following this procedure.
• Persons with diabetes who are taking medication must call their doctor's office to get instructions on stopping medications, such as Glucophage®, Gluconvance®, Metaglip®, etc.
  
  
• For patients over 60 years of age, or with diagnosed kidney disease, a special blood (lab) test is required called a BUN creatinine. Your doctor will provide you with a prescription for this blood work and you will need to arrive earlier than your scheduled time to have this drawn. This will be discussed with you at the time of scheduling.

 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Westfield Hospital utilizes an Open MRI, located on campus. The MRI machine is a Toshiba OPART .35 MRI system which delivers high-resolution images by utilizing the painless power of magnets, radio frequencies, and computer photographic techniques to accurately depict what is happening inside you. Westfield's MRI (Toshiba OPART .35) is a patient-friendly MRI system offering fast, safe exams of your internal structures so your doctor can accurately detect the differences between healthy and damaged tissues.

The unique four-sided open design enhances the patient's comfort. The open MRI system offers a less confining feeling. With the widest vertical opening on any MRI system, you will be able to relax comfortably during this painless procedure.

If a child or an elderly patient requires an MRI, a family member can stay with them during the entire procedure.

The open design allows full light and fresh air circulation. The fast imagining minimizes the time you stay in the system. Westfield's Open MRI offers super-conducting image quality which means your doctor gets the best images possible for the most accurate diagnosis. Westfield's Open MRI will comfortably fit a patient up to 500 pounds in weight.

What to expect during an MRI Scan:

• No special preparations are required prior to your exam. You may eat and drink normally, although it is best to limit your caffeine intake. Women should also refrain from wearing eye shadow or mascara.
• After you have changed into a gown and removed all jewelry and metal objects, you will lie on a table that slowly glides into the MRI scanner.
• An MRI coil will be placed around the part of the body to be scanned. This acts as an antenna. The closer it is to the area of interest on your body, the better it receives your signal and the better the image quality of your exam.
• During the 30 to 45 minute scan, you will hear a rapid tapping sound from inside the scanner and it will vary in rhythm. This is normal and means the scanner is acquiring your image. To get the best image, please lie as still as possible when you hear the tapping sound.
• MRI Scans do not use any X-Ray or other types of potentially harmful radiation. Immediately following your scan, you may resume your normal activities.

Patient Preparations for an MRI:

• Intravenous contrast may be required for your MRI scan. If contrast is required, then you must bring a list of all medications, dosage, and how often the medications are taken with you to your appointment.
• All other MRI procedures do not require preparation.
• Several precautions are required before you enter a strong magnetic field. You will be asked several questions regarding your medical history because the magnet may affect certain types of medical devices, such as a pacemaker or surgical clips.
• No metal may be brought into the MRI room, so it is important that you do not wear any type of pins or hair clips. You must remove your watch and all other jewelry. Also, credit cards must not be brought into the room because the scanner will damage the magnetic strip.

 Nuclear Medicine

Westfield Hospital utilizes a state-of-the-art, Philips ADAC Vertex-Plus Nuclear Medicine machine.  Nuclear Medicine scans, using radioisotopes, allow for the evaluation of a multitude of diseases including bone tumors, gall bladder function, and inflammation, prostrate cancer and thyroid tumors. This scanner is patient friendly and can handle patients weighing up to 500 pounds.

What to expect during your scan:
A Nuclear Medicine Scan takes about 30 minutes to two hours. Sometimes there is a delay of two to three hours between the tracer administration and your scan. The gamma camera is a large disc-shaped piece of equipment that is positioned as close to the body as possible. Depending on the type of scan prescribed, you may be sitting, standing, or lying down during the procedure.

Patient Preparation for a Nuclear Medicine Scan:
Some of the more common types of nuclear scans are listed below. For those scans not listed, you will be given specific instructions when you schedule your exam.

Bone Scans:
Following the administration of the tracer, you will be required to drink one quart of a fluid during a two to four hour period while you wait for it to be absorbed into your body.

Renal Scans:
Certain anti-hypertensive medications must be stopped for two days under the supervision and care of your referring doctor.

Gallbladder Scans:
No food or beverages, including water, should be consumed for eight hours prior to the scan. Certain gastric motility medications must be stopped three to five days prior to the scan. If the study is for an infant, then please bring two bottles and have one bottle contain the amount of formula or breast milk used in one feeding.

 Ultrasound

Westfield Hospital has state-of-the-art ultrasound equipment and spacious examination rooms to ensure patient comfort.

What to expect during an Ultrasound:
The transducer will be coated with a colorless, odorless gel to help glide it over your skin. The transducer is moved to various positions on the area of your body being studied so that different views can be obtained. You will feel slight pressure while the transducer is guided over your skin.

Patient Preparations for a Pelvic Ultrasound:
In order to obtain the best images, the bladder needs to be full. Drink 32 ounces of water, or any other type of non-carbonated beverage, one hour prior to your appointment and do not void. If you prefer, then you may come to your appointment early and drink your water here.

Patient Preparations for an Abdominal Ultrasound:
If you are having an abdominal ultrasound, then you must fast for six hours prior to the exam. No food or beverages should be consumed, except for small amounts of water.

Patient Preparation for a Renal Ultrasound:
Do not void one hour prior to ultrasound.

Patient Preparation for Venous Ultrasound:
Do not wear stockings; wear easily removable clothing.

Patient Preparation for a Thyroid, Testicles or Hip Ultrasound:
No preparation is needed for an ultrasound of the thyroid, the testicles, or pediatric hips.

 EEG/EMG Testing

EEG

Is not currently available at Westfield Hospital, although neurologist,. Dr. Jeffrey Gould can read the EEG results.

An EEG is a test of the brain’s electrical function. EEG stands for ElectroEncephaloGram. An EEG is a specialized computer that records brain-wave activity and heart information to help doctors determine the health and functioning of your brain in addition to one or more of the following:

• If observed symptoms are related to seizures or epilepsy.
• If seizure control is successful.
• The current risk of having a seizure.

To prepare for this test:

• Take your usual medications.
• Bathe within 24 hours before the scheduled time.
• Do not use lotion, body oil, or oily hair products on the day of the test.

The EEG consists of three parts. The technician will clean your scalp gently and place stickers with wires on them to specific parts of your head and face. Another sticker will be placed on your chest near your heart. Your brain-waves and heart beats will be recorded while you are not moving. During the test, the technician may ask you to breathe deeply or keep eyes closed while a light blinks.
After 1 hour, all of the electrodes will be removed and your scalp will be cleaned again, painlessly.
The test results will be provided to the physician ordering the test within two working days. The technician is not allowed to comment on the test results.

EMG

Schedule by calling Dr. Jeffrey Gould's office at (610) 866-6614, extension 3.

An EMG tests muscle and nerve function. EMG stands for “electromyogram." The test may be performed in an arm, leg or both if there are concerns about muscle or nerve injury. To prepare for your test:

• Bathe before the test.
• Take your usual medications.
• Do not use lotion or body oil on your skin the day of the test.
• Wear or bring shorts for testing on legs. Wear or bring T-shirt or tank top for testing on arms.

The EMG test has two parts. The first part is a nerve conduction testing. During this portion, the nerves will be stimulated by small electrical shocks. These shocks are about the same as touching a doorknob and getting a jolt - only necessary nerves will be stimulated. The amount of electricity used is not enough to cause injury, although for a moment it may be uncomfortable. Please inform us if you have a pacemaker so that the electricity can be kept away from it.

The second part of the EMG is the needle portion. During this part,  a needle, smaller than an acupuncture needle, is placed in certain muscles. Before the EMG, please tell us if you are using a blood thinning medication. Sometimes you will be asked to move or relax a muscle. Only necessary muscles will be tested. After the test there may be some minor bruises. You may go home immediately after the test is complete.

The risks of this test include bruising, bleeding, and infection because of needle placement. These risks are no greater than getting an immunization or IV placed. Test results will be provided to the physician ordering the test within two working days.