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FAQ - For answers, scroll over question to reveal the answer |
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Q. Can
I refer a patient
for an MRI scan?
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Answer |
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Yes. Recent guidelines published by the Royal College of Radiology
and the Royal College of General Practitioners provide a framework for appropriate
referral for diagnostic services.
Changes in health policies, specifically practice based commissioning and unbundling
of services, give GPs more freedom to refer patients to Vista for an MRI scan.
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Q. What
are Vista’s
referral guidelines?
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Answer |
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In accordance with MHDA guidelines, Vista ensures patient safety
and only accepts referrals from recognised clinicians. Our referral form is designed
to obtain the appropriate clinical information and region to be scanned, as well
as relevant patient and referring clinician contact information.
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Q. When
does a patient
require an MRI
scan?
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Answer |
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There are a wide variety of pathologies for which an MRI scan
would be of diagnostic and therapeutic value:
• most ailments of the brain, including tumours and dementias
• sports injuries
• musculoskeletal problems
• most spinal conditions/injuries
• vascular abnormalities of the kidneys
• female pelvic problems
• prostate problems
• ailments of the gastro-intestinal tract
• certain ear, nose and throat (ENT) conditions
• soft tissue and bone tumours.
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Q.
Which
patients are
unable to have
an MRI scan?
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Answer |
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Due to the powerful magnetic field of an MRI scan, certain
individuals cannot be scanned. A patient must not have an MRI scan if they have:
• a cardiac (heart) pacemaker
• clips in the head from brain operations, ie aneurysm clips
• a cochlear (ear) implant
• a metallic foreign body in the patient’s eye
• a programmable shunt for hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain).
Unless it is an emergency, patients who are pregnant or who have had surgery within
the previous three months are also contraindicated.
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Q.
How
do I refer a
patient to Vista?
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Answer |
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You
can
either:
•
complete
the
form
online
•
print
a
copy,
complete
all
sections
and
post
it
to
us
•
or,
if
you
prefer,
fax
it
to
us
at
0845
450
2171.
Please
include
as
much
information
as
possible
regarding
the
patient’s
condition
and
clearly
state
the
patient’s
contact
details
so
that
we
can
arrange
the
appointment
at
a
convenient
time
for
you
and
the
patient.
If
you
wish
a
copy
of
the
diagnostic
report
to
be
sent
to
another
recipient,
such
as
a
consultant,
please
provide
their
details.
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