Overview of Services
As the name suggests, diagnostic imaging services are key to helping physicians diagnose medical problems. Whether it's as simple as an X-ray of your hand to determine if you've broken your wrist, or as advanced as the latest "camera in a pill," small bowel capsule endoscopy to diagnose intestinal disorders, Bayshore Community Hospital's diagnostic imaging capabilities provide an array of services that blend caring expertise with state-of-the-art diagnostic technology.

Services include:

	Diagnostic Radiology This type of imaging service involves the use of ionizing radiation such as X-rays to diagnose medical conditions. Services vary from "routine" X-rays (e.g., chest, shoulder, ankle) to such procedures as GI series and IVPs.
	Computed tomography (CT) Scan A CT, or CAT scan, takes a series of radiological images that give your physician a multi-dimensional view of your body.
	Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) An MRI is a form of imaging that uses magnetic fields and radio waves rather than X-rays to generate pictures of internal organs and tissues.
	Nuclear Medicine Nuclear medicine involves diagnostic exams that analyze body anatomy and function, using small amounts of radioactive substance administered to the patient.
	Ultrasound An ultrasound is a diagnostic test that uses sound waves to visualize soft tissue.
	Endoscopy Endoscopic procedures enable physicians to examine the interior of bodily canals (e.g., gastrointestinal tract) or hollow organs (e.g., stomach, bladder).
	Digital Mammography Designed to help detect breast cancer in its early stages, mammography uses X-rays to create specialized images of the breast.
	Breast MRI Breast MRI captures detailed, cross-sectional images of breast tissue in a comfortable procedure that uses no compression. Breast MRI complements mammography and breast ultrasound and is used for women at high risk for breast cancer.
	Bone Densitometry This test measures bone mineral density (BMD) to help physicians make a diagnosis about your bone status and possible fracture risk.
	PET Scan PET is an imaging procedure that heps physicians identify biological functions of the body. PET scans can also assess normal and abnormal processes in the body.

Most radiology tests require appointments. Routine X-rays, however, do not require an appointment. They are performed on a walk-in basis.

Patients should park in the rear of the hospital and report to Outpatient Registration. Free parking is available.

Contact
For information and to schedule an appointment, please call (732) 739-5982.

Insurance
We participate with most insurance plans.
You will need a prescription from your physician for all of our procedures. As always, check with your physician's office and insurance company for pre-testing requirements such as pre-certifications or referrals, as they may take time to prepare prior to your appointment. Bring your insurance card and prescription with you to ensure your test can be performed the day of your visit.

Diagnostic Radiology
This type of imaging service involves the use of ionizing radiation such as X-rays to diagnose medical conditions. Services vary from "routine" X-rays (e.g., chest, shoulder, ankle) to more advanced procedures. Among these services are:

• Arthrography
• Barium Enema
• Barium Swallow
• Cholescystogram
• Cystogram
• Esophagram
• GI Series
• Hysterosalpinogram
• Intravenous pyelography (IVP)
• Myelogram

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
An MRI is a form of imaging that uses magnetic fields and radio waves rather than X-rays to generate pictures of internal organs and tissues. Its uses are varied, from sports-related injuries to diagnosing tumors or heart problems.

Bayshore Community Hospital prides itself on its state-of-the-art, safety-oriented program. The hospital's MRI equipment — 1.5 Tesla with a wide opening — is the most sophisticated, fastest equipment available, resulting in the highest quality image possible. In addition, its wide body frame is designed with patient comfort in mind, helping avoid feelings of claustrophobia.

What can I expect?
The MRI equipment is a large machine with a doughnut-shaped opening. During the testing, patients lie on a table that passes through the opening.

On the day of your testing, be sure to wear comfortable clothes, with the least amount of metal possible. Depending on your outfit and the test required, you may be asked to undress and put on a hospital gown. Also, because of the magnetic field created by the MRI, you will need to remove all metal objects — for example, jewelry, barrettes, hair pins, belts, etc. You also will need to discuss with the technicians whether there are any issues concerning metal in your body; this would include individuals with pacemakers, joint replacements, metal plates, pins and so on. Bayshore's comprehensive screening process helps ensure patient safety.

In addition, since the magnetic field created by the MRI equipment will cause credit cards and similar objects to become demagnetized, you will be asked to place your purse, wallet, credit cards, etc., in a locker outside the examination area.

You will be asked to lie down during the exam and remain still during the image-taking process. To make you more comfortable and compensate for any equipment noise during testing, a selection of music is available, or you can bring your own music CDs.

The testing takes approximately 30 minutes, depending on the specific test or your personal needs.

After the test, a radiologist who specializes in MRI will interpret the images and a report will be sent to your physician.

Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear medicine involves diagnostic exams that analyze body anatomy and function, using small amounts of radioactive substance administered to the patient. (The radiation dose is very minimal, similar to the dose you receive from standard X-rays, such as a chest X-ray.)

These procedures can help detect tumors, infection and other disorders by evaluating how organs function. Among its varied uses are analyzing kidney function, examining blood flow and function of the heart, and determining the presence in organs of defects that may represent disease processes.

Tests include such scans as bone, liver and thyroid scans, as well as stress thallium tests to examine the heart.

What can I expect?
Preparation for nuclear medicine testing varies according to the type of testing being performed. Usually, there is no special preparation needed; however, if the test involves evaluation of your stomach or your kidneys, you may need to follow specific instructions regarding food intake or drinking water prior to the exam.

A compound with a small amount of radioactive substance is administered — usually intravenously, but sometimes orally. This compound, called a "radiopharmaceutical" or "tracer," then is allowed to collect in the organ being studied. The length of time between administering the tracer and recording the images depends on the type of scan you are having done. After that set amount of time, which may range from a few minutes to several hours, a specialized gamma camera is used to record the images given off by the gamma ray energy that the tracer produces.

As with MRI and CT scans, you will be asked to remain as still as possible during the process.

Physicians with specialized training in nuclear medicine interpret the images and the results are forwarded to your physician.

Endoscopy
Endoscopic procedures enable physicians to examine the interior of bodily canals or hollow organs (e.g., stomach, bladder). They are performed using an instrument known as an endoscope, which is usually composed of highly flexible, fiberoptic material.

Bayshore's endoscopy services include:

• Bronchoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography)
• Small Bowel Endoscopy
• Small Bowel Capsule Endoscopy (the "camera in a pill" technology)
• Upper GI Endoscopy
• Motility Studies
• pH monitoring

For more information about any of these procedures, please call (732) 739-5996.