Patient Information


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When your physician orders a diagnostic test, the staff and physicians at El Portal Imaging Center want your experience to be as comfortable and stress free as possible. We also understand that you are busy and so we want to make sure that we respect your time.

We have found that if you have a better idea of what to expect during your procedure and if you come prepared for the visit, that everything goes very smoothly.

If you would like to save some time prior to your appointment you can download and fill out the Patient Registration Form and the Privacy Consent Forms and bring them with you to your appointment. Please be sure to bring any insurance cards and your personal identification as well.

When you are scheduling or confirming your exam, please alert us if you have diabetes or if you have any special medical concerns or conditions.

Appointments for most of our procedures are available on weekdays from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm, with extended hours for MRI (7:00 am to 6:00 pm) and Digital Mammography (7:00 am to 5:30 pm).

We have provided a general overview of many of our procedures below so that you have an idea of what to expect. Your individual circumstances may require slightly different preparation, so please pay close attention and take good notes when your Patient Services Representative provides the preparation instructions when your appointment is confirmed by phone.

Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT)
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Nuclear Medicine
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
Ultrasound
X-Ray
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Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT or CT)

For abdominal or pelvic exams you should eat nothing for at least three (3) hours prior to your exam. Please drink four (4) eight ounce glasses of water before the exam. You may be asked to change into a patient gown for your exam. Please download and complete the CT Exam Questionnaire prior to your exam in order to expedite the procedure.

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Please do not eat for at least three (3) hours prior to your exam and please do drink four (4) eight ounce glasses of water prior to the exam. It is important to remove all jewelry. You may be asked to change into a patient gown for your exam. Please download and complete the MRI Exam Questionnaire prior to your exam in order to expedite the procedure.

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Nuclear Medicine

Please download and review the Preparation for Nuclear Medicine Scans document prior to your procedure.

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Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

Patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not have a PET imaging procedure. Please notify our staff if you are currently breastfeed or if there is a possibility that you are pregnant. As a precaution to any pregnant women and young children, please keep a distance of six (6) feet or more for ten (10) hours following your exam.

Dress warmly and wear comfortable clothes for the exam and please refrain from wearing items containing metal. You will be in our office for about two hours and may not bring children under the age of 18 or pregnant women with you to the appointment.

The on the DAY BEFORE the exam, please eat foods that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Good foods to eat include eggs, chicken, beef, pork, and peanut butter. Foods to avoid include food that contain processed sugars such as candy, cakes, cookies, jams, jellies, pies, syrup, and sweetened sodas. You must also avoid natural sugars such as those in fruit, fruit juices, honey, corn syrup, and molasses, and you may not eat foods containing starches, such as breads, rice, potatoes, carrots, and corn. Do not exercise for 24 hours prior to your appointment.

SIX HOURS BEFORE your appointment you must stop eating completely, and you may drink only clear water, black coffee, and tea. You may take your usual medications at the usual time with water and you may take pain medications if prescribed for the exam. It is good to drink plenty of water so that you are well hydrated for your exam.

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Ultrasound

For OB, pelvic, and renal (kidney) exams please arrive to the exam with a full bladder. For abdominal exams, please have a fat-free diet on the day before your exam and eat nothing after midnight.

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X-Ray

You should wear comfortable clothing and minimal jewelry as you may be asked to remove jewelry for the exam. You may be asked to change into a patient gown for your exam.

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