Ultrasound
Quinte Health offers different types of ultrasound services at all four hospitals. Unlike x-ray exams which use ionizing radiation to create images, ultrasound uses sound waves to generate images of organs for diagnostic purposes. The ultrasound department also provides interventional services in the form of biopsies and joint injections.
How to Book an Ultrasound exam
Please fax ultrasound requisitions to (613) 969-5561 and our Diagnostic Booking office will contact the patient to schedule an ultrasound. Requisitions must be completed on the Quinte Health specific requisition.
Attending the Exam
On the day of your exam please arrive at the Diagnostic Imaging department office at Belleville General Hospital or Trenton Memorial Hospital 15 minutes before your appointment time. For patients going to Prince Edward County Memorial or North Hastings Hospitals you should arrive at the patient registration desk 15 minutes before your appointment time. Please bring your health card and requisition with you.
For information regarding types of ultrasound examinations, click here.
Preparing for the Exam
Abdominal Ultrasound: This is a fasting exam, have nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before your exam.
Kidney, Ureter and Bladder (KUB): Your bladder must be full for this exam, drink 1 litre of water 1 hour before your exam time, do not empty your bladder.
Pelvic and Transvaginal Ultrasound: Your bladder must be full for this exam, drink 1 litre of water 1 hour before your exam time, do not empty your bladder.
Pregnancy Ultrasound: First and second trimester (between 0 -20 weeks) exams require a full bladder. Please drink 1 litre of water 1 hour before your exam and do not empty your bladder. Third trimester (greater than 20 weeks) exams do not require a full bladder. Patients may be allowed one adult to accompany them for this exam.
Vascular Ultrasound: This category of ultrasound exams includes carotids, peripheral arterial studies and doppler studies. There are no special preparations required for these exams.
Soft Tissue Ultrasound: This category of ultrasound exams includes thyroid, breast, scrotal, musculoskeletal and any superficial lumps. No special preparations are required for these exams.
Ultrasound Guided Biopsy: If you are taking any type of blood thinners please contact your physician as you may need to discontinue them prior to this procedure.
Paediatric Ultrasound: Any child under the age of sixteen (16) is considered a paediatric patient and must be accompanied by an adult. Please refer to the following chart for the correct exam prep instructions for your child.
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Abdominal Ultrasound
|
0-5 yrs
|
No prep required.
AM appointment- light breakfast. PM appointment - light lunch nothing to eat or drink 4hrs prior to exam. |
|
Pelvic Ultrasound |
0-5 yrs |
No prep required.
|
|
Kidney/Renal Ultrasound |
0-5 yrs 6-12 yrs |
No prep required 500 mL of clear fluids 1hr prior to exam - do not empty bladder. |
|
Head Ultrasound |
0-8 months |
No prep required |
|
Hip Dysplasia Ultrasound |
6 weeks - 6 months |
No prep required |
|
Spinal Ultrasound |
0-5 months |
No prep required |
|
Scrotal Ultrasound |
0-15 years |
No prep required |
|
Thyroid/face/neck Ultrasound |
0-15 years |
No prep required |
After the Exam
Your ultrasound exam will be reported by a Radiologist and a report will be sent the ordering physician.
