Our Services
Description
On visiting a diagnostic imaging department for a diagnostic procedure, you will come across a range of staff that are there to help you and to provide you with a high quality service.
The identification and monitoring of diseases, skeletal and soft tissue abnormalities and trauma are the major focus of diagnostic radiography.
Diagnostic radiographers employ a range of techniques and medical imaging modalities to produce high quality images in order to aid in the diagnoses of injury or disease. They are responsible for providing accurate imaging examinations in a safe manner and using the least resources.
Significantly, radiographers provide this service throughout the 24-hour day, often working alone or in interprofessional care teams.
They use a range of techniques including:
- X-ray – used to look through tissue to examine bones, cavities and foreign objects. May be used with contrast agents (dye) to provide a live motion image, eg, fluoroscopy to image the digestive system, or angiography to investigate blood vessels;
- CT (computed tomography) – provides cross-sectional views (slices) of the body;
- Nuclear medicine – uses radioactive tracers which can be administered to examine how the body and organs function, for example, the kidneys or heart. Certain radioisotopes can also be administered to treat particular cancers, eg, thyroid cancer.
- PET/CT is a new imaging tool that combines two scan techniques in one exam - a PET scan and a CT scan. PET stands for positron emission tomography.
Techniques that do not use x-radiation are:
- Ultrasound – uses high frequency sound. This technique is increasingly used in obstetrics, including monitoring throughout pregnancy, gynaecology, abdominal, paediatrics, cardiac, vascular and musculo-skeletal;
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) – builds a 2-D or 3-D map of different tissues within the body.
Procedure
Medical imaging services are provided in Hospitals and Health Centres as follows. In Health centres only General Radiography Services are offered. Patients can be referred by the Health Centre GP or Family Doctor.
In Mater Dei Hospital the following additional services are available – MRI, CT Scan, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, PET and Mammography.
In Gozo General Hospital the following medical imaging services are offered – CT Scan, General Radiography, Fluoroscopy, Mammography and Ultrasound.
Eligibility
All Maltese citizens or foreigners holding a residency permit can be referred for Medical Imaging Services. Foreigners without residency permit can also use this service against a fee. Kindly contact the billing section at Mater Dei Hospital (tel: 25454220) for more information.
Required Documents
ID card; For paediatric a parent or legal guardian must always accompany the child.
Medical Imaging Pathway
Referrals for medical imaging using ionizing radiation (x-rays, gamma rays and other radioisotopes) are vetted by practitioners (Radiologists or Radiographers). Priority is given to urgent cases. Appointments are given to patients and each patient is notified by letter of appointment. Telephone appointments are not permitted. All patient details are kept on a computer system (radiology information system) which keeps a trail of all transactions.
Radiologists perform diagnostic reporting and once this is approved it will be available to the referring clinician.
Radiologists also perform Ultrasounds, and interventional radiology procedures.
Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestion: What is PET/CT?
Answer: PET/CT is mainly used for diagnosis, staging or restaging malignant disease and metastases and evaluation of treatment response. It may also be used to differentiate dementia verses Alzheimer's disease. The two procedures together provide information about the location, nature of and the extent of the lesion. In other words, it answers questions like: Where is the tumor, how big is it, is it malignant, benign or due to inflammatory change, and has the cancer spread?.
Question: What is MRI?
Answer: MRI is short for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a procedure used in hospitals to scan patients and determine the severity of certain injuries. An MRI machine uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the body.
Question: Do I need a referral every time I need to have a medical imaging service?
Answer: Yes, this is a legal requirement.
Question: Are X-rays safe?
Answer: As with any kind of medical procedure, x-rays are safe when they are used properly. Professionals who use x-rays, radiographers and radiologists, have specialized training in using the smallest quantity of radiation needed to get the required results. When clinically indicated, properly conducted imaging with the smallest risk should be performed. The tiny amount of radiation exposure should always be considerably outweighed by the benefits for the patient.
How to Contact Us
|
Medical Imaging Reception (Mater Dei Hospital) : 25456701 (7:00am till 7:00pm)
Mater Dei Hospital Telephone Operators 2545000 (24hours)
When you visit our Office we will:
- Be quick, courteous and helpful
- Welcome you in a clean and friendly environment.
When you phone us you can expect us to:
- Answer promptly
- Identify ourselves.
|