Contact Information 800 Kenyon Road Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 P: 515-574-6534 F: 515-574-6092 Contact Us   Clinic Hours Mon-Fri: 7:30am - 4:00pm Sat-Sun: closed   Physicians & Providers John Alcini, M.D. David Smith, M.D. Jeffery S. Morrill, D.O.

Before Your Appointment

To each appointment, please bring your insurance cards, medication list, co-pays and any additional important information.

Radiology or X-Ray

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. In a health care setting, a machines sends are individual x-ray particles, called photons. These particles pass through the body. A computer or special film is used to record the images that are created.

Structures that are dense (such as bone) will block most of the x-ray particles, and will appear white. Metal and contrast media (special dye used to highlight areas of the body) will also appear white. Structures containing air will be black, and muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of gray.

How the Test is Performed

The test is performed in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist. The positioning of the patient, x-ray machine, and film depends on the type of study and area of interest. Multiple individual views may be requested.

Much like conventional photography, motion causes blurry images on radiographs, and thus, patients may be asked to hold their breath or not move during the brief exposure (about 1 second).

How to Prepare for the Test - Inform the health care provider prior to the exam if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or have an IUD inserted.

If abdominal studies are planned and you have had a barium contrast study (such as a barium enema, upper GI series, or barium swallow) or taken medications containing bismuth (such as Pepto-Bismol) in the last 4 days, the test may be delayed until the contrast has fully passed.

You will remove all jewelry and wear a hospital gown during the x-ray examination because metal and certain clothing can obscure the images and require repeat studies.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - MRI

What is an MRI?
An MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a highly detailed scan of a certain part of your body. The scan takes images in “slices” to view different parts of the body in two dimensions or two directions. It is a painless exam that does not require preparation other than making sure you do not have any metal on your body. Please let us know if you have any metal rods, implants, a knee or hip replacement, a pacemaker or a defibrillator.

How is an MRI different from a plain film x-ray?
MRI images are made in three different views, using a strong magnetic field and radio frequency. An x-ray uses radiation to expose a skeletal image on the film. There are no known long-term-side effects of an MRI.

MRI at Trinity Regional Medical Center

MRI at Webster City
 

Excellent Service

Our providers take the time to listen to patients and provide great service and treatment.