Basic imaging services such as x-ray, bone densitometry and routine screening mammography do not require an appointment and can be performed at our outpatient imaging facilities with a physician order. More advanced medical imaging services and interventional procedures require a formal request from the referring physician to initiate the process of scheduling an exam for a patient. A request for an imaging exam can be submitted in writing, by fax, verbally over the phone or most often electronically through a secure website. After a formal request for service is received by the imaging facility, the request is reviewed by the radiology department to determine the appropriateness of the request. If the request for an outpatient imaging service is approved and protocol criteria are met, the patient will be contacted directly by the imaging facility, radiology staff or centralized scheduling at Mercy Health Partners to arrange a specific date and time for the exam to be performed. If the request of an inpatient imaging service is approved and criteria are met, the exam or procedure is typically given priority and performed as soon as possible. If the request for an imaging exam or interventional procedure is deemed inappropriate for the patient-specific disease condition, the reviewing radiology personnel will usually provide feedback or recommend an alternate exam or procedure.
If your patient requires a scheduled appointment for an advanced imaging service or interventional procedure, it is our goal to minimize the delay until the exam or procedure can be performed. Most advanced imaging services such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine and interventional procedures can usually be scheduled within 1 week or less.