Baptist Regional Medical Center provides Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services at the Outpatient Diagnostic Center, located at 60 Bryan Boulevard, Suite 100, Corbin, KY. The following information will help prepare you for your MRI exam.

What is MRI?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a medical technology that uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to allow physicians to explore the inner workings of the human body. No radiation is involved in this procedure.

The Outpatient Diagnostic Center is equipped with a state-of-the-art 1.5 tesla magnet to produce faster scans and higher quality images to help your doctor detect and define differences between healthy and diseased tissue. Conditions that just a few years ago might not have been detected from physical signs and symptoms, may now be clearly seen with MRI, giving doctors more time and better information to determine the most appropriate treatment.

Before the Examination

Before your examination, the staff at the Outpatient Diagnostic Center will ask you come very important questions, including do you have . . .

• A pacemaker?
• Some type of metallic implant?
• Certain types of prosthetic devices?
• Metal objects such as cerebral aneurysm clips (a metal clip on a blood vessel) or cochlear implants (an internal hearing aid)?

The above devices might prohibit you from having an MRI exam. If you have any of these devices, make sure your physician and the MRI staff are informed. If you have doubts or questions, be sure to ask!

Important Reminders

1. There is no prep for this exam.
2. You may eat or drink normally.
3. If you are on medication for pain or otherwise, we ask that you bring it with you.
4. You may also bring a friend or family member with you, as long as they also pass the screening check. There are comfortable chairs in the scan room, and we provide coffee.
5. Precertification is required in most cases. Please check with your healthcare provider.

How Long is the MRI Exam?

The exam usually lasts no longer than an hour, depending on the information your doctor needs.

The MRI Exam

The actual imaging procedure will be performed in the MRI examination room at the diagnostic center. Most of the room is occupied by a large magnet with a padded examination table. You will be asked to lie flat on the table which is designed to slide into the center of the magnet. Pillows will be provided for your comfort.

While the machine is in operation, you will hear intermittent humming and thumping sounds. This is quite normal and is simply the sound of the equipment starting and stopping and other mechanical sounds. It is most important that you remain relaxed and completely still during the scan.

How Will I Feel After the MRI?

You should feel perfectly normal and be able to resume your everyday activities.

For More Information

Staff at the Outpatient Diagnostic Center will call you the day before your exam to go over preliminary screening questions. If you need more information or to change your appointment, please call (606) 528-0621. Please call us within 24 hours if you are unable to keep your appointment.

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