Ultrasound

What are the benefits and risks of an ultrasound 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 Health.

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 to five business days for a completed requisition form to be reviewed and processed by Mackenzie Health.

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

• Appointment date,  time and location
• Arrival time
• Associated preparation instructions for the test

If you receive a voicemail from the Scheduling Office, please call 905-883-1212 ext. 2004 from Richmond Hill or 905-417-2000 ext. 2004 from Vaughan to complete the pre-registration process.

You can also log in to MyChart to view appointment dates/times, confirm your upcoming appointments and complete the pre-registration process using the eCheck-In service.

How do I prepare for an ultrasound?

You 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, you will be advised by the Scheduling Office on your arrival time.

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

Please follow any preparations provided when scheduling your appointment:

• Bring your valid health card.
• You 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.
• Please do not wear any jewelry or other metal objects close to the area being scanned.
• Wear loose-fitted and comfortable clothing

How to prepare for your ultrasound guided breast biopsy

Please read our information sheet

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 ultrasound scan?

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

Can I have an ultrasound scan if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

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.

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 905-417-2000 ext. 2004 from Vaughan.

Are you looking for a CD copy of your images?

Mackenzie Health has partnered with PocketHealth to give patients online access to view and share their images from our hospital and other participating organizations at a reduced fee. This includes X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI scans and other medical imaging results.

Log in to your MyChart account to access this and additional features including eCheck-In, lab and test results, preparation instructions for upcoming appointments and more!

What are the benefits to accessing my images online?

By accessing your images online, you can:

• Save time as there's no need to visit the hospital to obtain a CD
• Save money on parking and reduced fees
• Share your images online directly with your requesting physician
• View images from our and other participating hospitals and X-ray clinics

To learn more, please visit the MyChart FAQs section of our website.

How do I sign up for a MyChart account?

Log in to your MyChart Account, visit the Test Results page and follow the link to our partner site, PocketHealth. From there, you can access your images in three easy steps:

1. Enter your patient information, including name, date of birth and health card number
2. Consent to the terms and conditions of the services being provided
3. Complete a secure payment online

Can I come to the hospital and pick up my images in person?

You can request a CD copy of your health records from Health Information Services at Mackenzie Health for a small fee. Please visit our Health Information Services page for more information.

What will I have online access to?

If you sign up for MyChart, you will have online access to:

• Check in online 7 days prior to your next appointment using our eCheck-In* service
• View past and upcoming appointments
• View preparation instructions for upcoming appointments
• Complete pre-visit questionnaires*
• Cancel appointments*
• Update your demographics at any time (includes address, phone number, family physician, and more)
• View lab and test results
• View and share Diagnostic images including X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI scans and more
• Clinical notes on your care and treatment
• Track your health*
• Access your list of conditions or medical concerns diagnosed at Mackenzie Health as well as your prescribed medications and known allergies

*Available for select clinics

You can register for MyChart when scheduling an appointment or you can self-sign up online at mychart.mackenziehealth.ca.

If your appointment is at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital:

• You may park in one of the visitors parking lots (North or South) and make your way to the C-Wing or D-Wing entrance.
• Please allow yourself extra time during peak hours, as finding parking can take longer than expected. If possible, consider taking public transit, or getting dropped off by a family member or friend.

If your appointment is at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital:

• You may park in the visitor parking lots at the west of the building. 
• Access to the hospital is through the Main Entrance at the south side of the building (6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.) or through the west of the hospital (24/7 access). Drop-off  and pick-up is available at both entrances.

View more information on parking services.

Once inside the hospital, please check in at Patient Registration using our self-serve kiosks. 

Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital

10 Trench St.
Richmond Hill, ON L4C 4Z3
Local to Richmond Hill: 905-883-1212
Local to Vaughan: 905-417-2000
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Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital

3200 Major Mackenzie Dr W
Vaughan ON L6A 4Z3
Local from Vaughan: 905-417-2000
Local from Richmond Hill: 905-883-1212
View the map for this location