What is it? Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a way of allowing your physician to see inside your body without surgery or radiation. Instead, it uses a strong magnetic field supplied by a magnet and radio waves. There are no known biological hazards associated with MRI. Before You Come For Your Scan Because certain conditions and/or devices located inside your body may interfere with the MRI scan, we screen patients carefully. Please pay particular attention to the specific list of items and inform us of any that apply to you. surgery within the past 6 weeks heart pacemaker ear implants dental braces recent cold or cough claustrophobia brain aneurysm clips pregnancy neurostimulators heart valve heart surgery or stents metallic fragments in the eye inability to lie still or flat on your back for approximately 60 minutes weight near 500 lbs head surgery If you have medical cards with information regarding any previous surgeries, including medical devices and implants, please bring them with you. If any of the items from the list above apply to you, please contact the radiology department at 546-3394 prior to your exam. Where To Go For the Scan Please report to the east lobby receptionist where you will be taken to the scanning area. Please report 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. We kindly ask that you do not bring children to your appointment. Please make arrangements for child care in advance, as our staff cannot be available or responsible for supervising children. Preparing For Your MRI Scan You may continue any medications that you are taking. Please do not wear eye makeup if you are having a scan of the head / brain. Wear comfortable clothing without zippers or snaps. Do not wear glitter lotions, glitter paint or jewelry. Before the Procedure You will be given paperwork to fill out concerning your medical / surgical history. You will need to remove any metal objects on your person like pens, keys, coins and jewelry. Glasses, hearing aids and dentures should also be removed. Credit cards and watches should be removed to protect them from damage. Prior to your scan, please use the restroom as you will not be able to do so once the scan has started. You may be asked to change into a hospital gown before the exam. The Procedure A technologist will talk with you and explain the exam. During the scan, you will hear loud knocking noises. You will be given earplugs to muffle the noise of the machine. Depending on the type of exam, you may be able to use the sound system to listen to music or you can bring your own playlist. You will be able to communicate with the technologist during the examination via an intercom/call button. Once the exam starts, it’s important that you lie still and breathe normally. An MRI should take between 30 – 60 minutes. After Your Scan You should feel no ill effects from the MRI scan. You may go about your normal daily routine. A radiologist will interpret your examination. A report will be sent to your ordering physician. If you have any questions concerning your exam, please contact the Radiology Department at 712-546-3394. Download this page as a printable PDF