X-Ray Services
Rogue Valley Physicians offers a wide array of X-Ray exams.
X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging and are a fast and easy way for a physician to view and assess common health issues. An x-ray (radiograph) involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body.
How should I prepare:
Our scheduling department will provide you with any preparation details you may need depending on the type of X-Ray your physician orders. For most x-rays no special preparation is required.
On the day of the X-Ray:
- Leave jewelry at home. Wear comfortable clothing, preferably clothes without metal buttons, zippers, etc.
- For some X-Ray scans you may be asked to change into a gown for the exam.
- Women should always inform their physician or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant or are nursing.
Who interprets the results and how do I get them?
A radiologist from Medford Radiological Group will analyze the images and send a signed report to your primary care or referring physician, who will discuss the results with you.
In an emergency, the results can be available almost immediately for review by your physician.
What are the benefits vs. risks?
Benefits
- No radiation remains in a patient’s body after an x-ray examination.
- X-rays usually have no side effects.
- Because x-ray imaging is fast and easy, it is particularly useful in emergency diagnosis and treatment.
Risks
- There is always a slight chance of cancer from excessive exposure to radiation. However, the benefit of an accurate diagnosis far outweighs the risk.
- The chest x-ray is one of the lowest radiation exposure medical examinations performed today. The effective radiation dose from this procedure is about 0.1 mSv, which is about the same as the average person receives from background radiation in 10 days.
- Women should always inform their physician or x-ray technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant.
Benefits and Risks provided by www.radiologyinfo.org