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Diagnostic Imaging

Diagnostic Imaging Services offered at AGH and CPDMH include a range of exams including:

  • X-ray
  • Ultrasound
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • CT Scan - AGH only
  • Echocardiograms (Echo) - CPDMH only
  • Holter Monitors - CPDMH only

For Xray and Ultrasound appointments at AGH a requisition can be faxed to 613-256-8637 and for CPDMH a requisition can be faxed to 613-257-5197.  A booking clerk will call to arrange your appointment.  

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify the Booking Department as soon as possible at 613-253-3818 (AGH) and 613-253-3860 (CPDMH).

For CT Scan appointments at AGH a requisition can be faxed to 613-256-5932.  A booking clerk will call to arrange your appointment. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify the CT Booking Department as soon as possible at 613-256-2500 x 2121 (AGH).

The booking department hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday.

When you arrive for your appointment, please report to the Registration desk. Have your OHIP card ready (or other provincial health card).


X-Ray Services

Appointments at Almonte General Hospital:

For X-ray appointments at AGH enter through the Emergency Entrance (B) and register at the Emergency Department Registration Desk. The waiting room for X-rays is located in the Radiology Department to the right of the Emergency Department.  Please have a seat and a staff member will greet you shortly.

AGH X-ray Hours
Monday to Friday 7:30—21:00 Walk-ins 8:00—20:00
Saturday and Sunday 8:00—16:00 Walk-ins 9:00—15:00
Note: X-ray lunch breaks are scheduled for 30min M-F, 11:30-12:00 & 17:15-17:45. X-ray will be unavailable during these periods.

Appointments at Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital: 

For X-ray appointments at CPDMH enter through the Hospital Main entrance and follow the yellow dots to Registration. Once registered you will be directed to the Radiology Department.

To book or reschedule an X-ray please call:

  • AGH: 613-253-3818 or fax your requisition to 613-256-8637
  • CPDMH: 613-253-3860 or fax your requisition to 613-257-5197

If your primary care provider has given you your requisition to be a walk-in patient, please remember that you may have a waiting period as Emergency and scheduled patients will take precedence.

If you need to reschedule your appointment please call:

  • 613-253-3818 - AGH
  • 613-253-3860 - CPDMH

How Do I Prepare for an X-ray?

Please report to the Registration Department 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. Wear clothing that is easy to remove. Do not wear any metal, this includes undergarments and jewelry.

Ultrasound

Appointments at Almonte General Hospital:

For Ultrasound enter through the Emergency Entrance (B) and register at the Emergency Department Registration Desk. The waiting room for Ultrasound is at Entrance (C). You must exit the building, turn left and re-enter through the Main Hospital Lobby door at Entrance (C). Please wait in one of the chairs towards the right and a staff member will greet you shortly.

Appointments at Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital:

For ultrasound at CPDMH, enter through the Main Hospital entrance, follow the yellow dots to registration. Once registered, you will be directed to the Radiology Department.

To book or reschedule an Ultrasound please call:

  • AGH: 613-253-3818 or fax your requisition to 613-256-8637
  • CPDMH: 613-253-3860 or fax your requisition to 613-257-5197

What is an Ultrasound?

During an ultrasound procedure, equipment sends sound - at a frequency that cannot be heard by the human ear - into specific parts of the body. The sound reflects at different frequencies, which are analyzed by a computer and turned into an image of the part of the body being examined.

If You Need an Ultrasound

You must have an appointment for an ultrasound exam. Booking clerks will call you to arrange this.

If you need to reschedule your appointment please call:

  • 613-253-3818 - AGH
  • 613-253-3860 - CPDMH

 

Preparing for an Abdominal Examination (liver, aorta, pancreas, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys)

Do not eat or drink for 8 hours prior to your appointment.  Do not smoke or chew gum. If you need to take medication, take it with a small amount of water. If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic and are asked to miss breakfast, take half your normal dose of insulin. If you must miss any other meal, contact your doctor for further instructions.

Preparing for an Abdominal and Pelvic Examination

Do not eat. Finish drinking 40 oz./ 1 litre of water one hour before your appointment time. Do not empty your bladder after drinking the water until after your test. If your bladder becomes too uncomfortable, you may pass a small amount of urine to relieve the pressure. If your bladder is not full at the time of your test you may have to reschedule.

If you need to take medication, take it with a small amount of water. If you are an insulin-dependent diabetic and are asked to miss breakfast, take half your normal dose of insulin. If you must miss any other meal, contact your doctor for further instructions.

Preparing for an Obstetric or Pelvic Examination

This test can only be done if the bladder if full. Eat normally. Finish drinking 40 oz./ 1 litre of water one hour before your appointment time. Do not empty your bladder after drinking the water until after your test. If your bladder becomes too uncomfortable, you may pass a small amount of urine to relieve the pressure. If your bladder is not full at the time of your test you may have to reschedule.

Expectant mothers who undergo an ultrasound can purchase a still image of an ultrasound of their baby for a $10 fee.

All Other Ultrasound Tests

There are no restrictions on food or drink.

After the Test

Return to your normal diet and (if applicable) insulin routine.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Electrocardiography is a commonly used, non-invasive procedure for recording electrical activity generated by the heart muscle.

The graphic record, called an electrocardiogram ( ECG or EKG ), shows the series of waves that relate to the electrical impulses occurring with each beat of the heart. The results are print-ed on paper to provide a visual representation of heart function. It is used to help diagnose specific cardiac conditions.

If you need an ECG:

You will be asked to disrobe from the waist up, baring the lower legs and put on a hospital gown. You will be asked to rest calmly on a stretcher. Electrodes (tiny wires in adhesive pads) will be applied to specific sites on the bare chest, legs and arms. These electrodes are connected to an ECG machine which measures the electrical activity around the heart and produces the results on graph paper. To obtain the best conductivity, chest hair should be shaved prior to appointment, otherwise this will be completed during the exam.

All physicians can interpret an ECG but the official report will come from a doctor with special training in the interpretation of electrocardiograms.

Download the Electrocardiogram (ECG) information pamphlet. 

CT Scan (AGH only)

Computed tomography (CT) is a diagnostic imaging test used to create detailed images of internal organs, bones, soft tissue and blood vessels. The cross-sectional images generated during a CT scan can be reformatted in multiple planes. CT is fast, painless, non-invasive and accurate. In emergency cases, it can reveal internal injuries and bleeding quickly enough to help save lives.

For CT Scan appointments at AGH a requisition can be faxed to 613-256-5932. A booking clerk will call to arrange your appointment. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify the CT Booking Department as soon as possible at 613-256-2500 x 2121 (AGH).

Echocardiography - CPDMH Only

Echocardiogram:

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of your heart. Diagnostic Ultrasound, also known as sonography , is a special imaging procedure using high frequency sound waves to produce images. These sound waves cannot be felt or heard. With an echocardiogram, the sound waves are directed at the heart. The images are black and white and colour can be added to show blood moving through the chambers. Many measurements are taken.

There are no special preparations. A requisition is required from your physician.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment. You will need to register for your appointment. Enter through the main entrance and follow the yellow dots. Once registered, you will be directed to the Radiology Department.

You will be asked to change into a gown. Your blood pressure may be taken. The sonographer will take you to a darkened room and ask you to lie down on a stretcher. 3 ECG leads will be attached to you. A wet gel is placed on the area to be examined and then an imaging transducer also known as an ultrasound probe is slowly moved over the area of interest. You may feel some pressure while the probe is being moved across the part of the body being imaged. You may also be asked to hold your breath for some images. The exam takes 45-60 minutes to complete. A Cardiologist will interpret your exam and send an official report to your referring physician.

Download the Echocardiography information pamphlet. 

Holter Monitoring - CPDMH only

Holter Monitoring:

A holter monitor is a small portable device which continuously monitors the electrical activity of the heart for 72 hours of 14 days . This extended recording period is sometimes useful for observing occasional cardiac irregularities that would be difficult to identify in the shorter time that it takes to record an ECG ( electrocardiogram ). A holter monitor is about the size of a deck of cards and can be clipped to a belt or carried in a pocket. You will be asked to disrobe from the waist up and change into a hospital gown. Wires connect the monitor to the patient's chest. To ensure connectivity, hair will be shaven on the chest in the area of electrode connectivity.

After the monitor is disconnected from the patient, the recorded information is downloaded and sent to CP Diagnostics to be run through a computer. This computer automatically analyses the input, finding candidate areas in the recording worthy of further study. An official report will come from a doctor with special training in the interpretation of holter monitoring.

Download the Holter Monitor information pamphlet