Ultrasound

What is an Ultrasound?

An ultrasound scan is a diagnostic imaging tool that uses high frequency sound waves to create images of specific areas of the body to diagnose various pathologies. Ultrasound is also well known as US scan or diagnostic medical sonography. The medical images are obtained by the diagnostic medical sonographer who performs examinations, records anatomic condition and provides diagnostic information to a radiologist, who shares with the ordering physician.

What are the benefits and risks of an US scan?

An ultrasound scan produces detailed images of your body to help your doctor make an informed diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan. Please be advised patients are not exposed to radiation during an ultrasound scan.

Referring a Patient

A Diagnostic Imaging requisition form must be completed by a physician for patients to be referred for an ultrasound scan at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital.

Please ensure the requisition form includes the referring physician’s information and signature, patient information and patient’s clinical history.

To obtain a copy of the Diagnostic Imaging requisition form, visit the referral and consent forms page. Physician offices can fax a patient Diagnostic Imaging requisition form to 905-883-0772.

How do I receive my appointment date and time?

Please allow three (3) to five (5) business days for a completed requisition form to be reviewed and processed by Mackenzie Health.

A representative from Mackenzie Health Patient Scheduling Office will call the patient to advise:

• Appointment date and time
• Arrival time
• Associated preparations for the test

If you receive a voicemail from the Patient Scheduling Office, please call 905-883-1212 ext. 2004 from Richmond Hill or 905-883-4554 ext. 2004 from Vaughan to complete the pre-registration process.

Online convenience with MyChart

Through MyChart, patients have online access:

• Appointment calendars and details
• Update your patient demographic at any time and e-check in seven days prior to your next appointment
• Receive post-appointment clinical notes and test results

Patients can register for MyChart when scheduling an appointment or can sign up online at mackenziehealth.ca/mychart.

How do I prepare for an Ultrasound?

Patients will receive a reminder notification a few days prior to your scheduled appointment. Please ensure you confirm or cancel through the automated system.

At the time of booking, patients will be advised by the Patient Scheduling Office on their arrival time.

• A reminder, Mackenzie Health is a scent-free environment.

Please follow any preparations provided at the point of scheduling:

• Bring your valid health card.
• Patients may be advised to change into a hospital gown
• Family members accompanying a patient will be invited to the examination room towards the end of the ultrasound exam. It allows a technologist to perform a detailed diagnostic medical sonography with no distractions.

• Patients are advised to not wear any jewellery or other metal objects close to the area being scanned.
• Wear loose-fitted and comfortable clothing

What do I do if I have an allergy to local anesthetics or latex?

If you have a known allergy to latex please inform the diagnostic medical sonographer who is performing your exam – non-latex material will be used during the exam.

If you are scheduled for an ultrasound guided biopsy (tissue sampling) and have a known allergy to local anesthetic or any other medications used during the procedure, please inform the technologist and radiologist performing the procedure.

How long does an Ultrasound take?

On average, an ultrasound scan will take vary between 30 minutes to one hour.

Is there any contrast material used for US scan?

Mackenzie Health does not use any contrast materials for ultrasound scans.

Patients who are pregnant are able to have an ultrasound scan. In fact an ultrasound scan is a frequent routine medical imaging exam used for an assessment of the pregnancy.

What do I do when I arrive at the hospital?

• Patients may park in the Visitors parking lot (North of the hospital) and enter through the D-wing, Emergency Department entrance. Click here for more information on parking services.

• During peak hours, parking can take longer than expected. Please allow yourself extra time to accommodate this. Alternate options are to take public transit or get dropped off by a family member or friend.
• Check in at Patient Registration located in C-Wing Level 2 (between the C-wing, main lobby and D-wing Emergency entrance) using our self-serve kiosks.

Map to Patient Registration:

How do I reschedule my appointment?

Please provide 48 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Patients can cancel their appointments online using MyChart but will need to reschedule by calling the patient scheduling office at 905-883-1212 ext. 2004 from Richmond Hill or 905 832 4554 ext. 2004 From Vaughan.

How can I obtain a copy of my test images?

Test results will typically be sent to your referring physician within five (5) business days. Registrants of MyChart, can access the text portion of their ultrasound scan report under the Test Results section on MyChart.

Images of your ultrasound test are available upon request by calling 905-883-1212 ext. 2200 from Richmond Hill or 905-883-1212 ext. 2200 from Vaughan and will be provided on a CD for $10. Health Information Services will advise when your CD and report can be picked up from Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, B-wing, Level 1, Room 1926. Health Information Services is open Monday to Friday from