Preparing for your scan
A few things make the day quicker and the scan safer. Most can be settled with one phone call when you book.
Tell us about metal, before an MRI.
Ask whether to eat or drink beforehand.
Bring earlier scans and reports.
Before the day
Tell us about metal, before an MRI
A pacemaker or defibrillator, a cochlear implant, a brain aneurysm clip, an insulin pump, a nerve stimulator, a piece of metal in or near the eye, and some old heart valves or joint replacements need to be checked first. Many are safe. We need to know which.
Tell us if you might be pregnant
Before an X-ray or CT, so that the choice of scan can be made with that in mind.
Tell us about allergies and kidney disease
Some scans use a contrast dye. A past reaction to one, asthma or kidney disease may change what is done.
Ask about eating and drinking
Some scans need an empty stomach for some hours, some need a full bladder, and some need nothing at all. The desk will tell you when you book.
On the day
Wear something plain
Without metal. You may be asked to change into a gown.
Leave valuables at home
Jewellery, watches and valuables. Keep phones and cards out of the MRI room.
Bring what you have
The doctor's request, earlier scans and reports, and a list of the medicines you take. Old pictures are compared with new ones.
Children
A parent can stay with a child until the scan begins. A child who cannot lie still is helped to, and Tesla has anaesthesia available round the clock for paediatric imaging emergencies.
Keep reading.
Book your scan.
Ask for a time, or leave your number and we will call you.
Or call 1800 210 0108, toll-free.
Quick answers.
Can I eat before my scan?
It depends on the scan. Abdominal ultrasound and CT with contrast usually need several hours without food. An MRI of the brain or a joint usually needs nothing special. Ask the desk when you book.
Can someone stay with me?
Usually someone can wait with you, and a parent can stay with a child until the scan begins. For some scans, the room cannot be entered by others.