Claire Dawson
X-rays are a common medical procedure used to diagnose a range of conditions. They are often required in emergency situations, and as such, many hospitals provide 24-hour X-ray services. However, some hospitals operate on a priority system, where non-emergencies are given a priority level of 1 to 4, with 1 being the highest priority. This means that patients with lower priority levels may experience longer wait times for X-rays, especially during the night. Additionally, some hospitals have specific hours for outpatient X-rays, which may impact the availability of X-ray services at night. Patients can sometimes reduce their wait time by opting for an appointment during the evening, night, or weekend.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| X-ray availability at Waterloo Regional Health Network | Weekdays from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and weekends from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm for outpatients. 24-hour service for inpatients and the emergency department. |
| X-ray availability at Ross Memorial Hospital | The X-ray division is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Outpatient hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. |
| X-ray availability at Lakeridge Health | Offered 24 hours a day, onsite from 8 am to midnight, and by on-call from midnight to 8 am at Ajax Pickering, Bowmanville, and Oshawa Hospitals. On-call, afternoons only from Monday to Thursday at the Whitby Hospital. |
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What You'll Learn
X-ray availability at hospitals varies
At Ross Memorial Hospital, the X-ray division is also staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but their outpatient hours are Monday to Friday, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm. Similarly, SickKids hospital offers X-ray services with reception hours from 7 am to 10 pm, Monday to Friday, and outpatient and walk-in hours from 9 am to 4 pm during the weekdays. They only provide emergency and inpatient services outside of these hours.
The availability of X-rays at night may depend on whether the hospital considers it an emergency or a non-emergency situation. At Lakeridge Health, X-rays are offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at Ajax Pickering, Bowmanville, and Oshawa Hospitals. However, at Port Perry Hospital, X-rays are available onsite from 8 am to midnight and by on-call from midnight to 8 am.
In Ontario, a radiologist assigns a priority level of 1 to 4 for diagnostic imaging, with Priority 1 indicating an emergency that receives immediate attention and is not included in wait times. Patients with non-emergency Priority 2 are considered the most urgent and may experience varying wait times. To reduce wait times, patients can discuss options with their doctors, such as being willing to attend appointments during evenings, nights, or weekends, traveling to a different hospital or imaging center, or joining a cancellation list.
Additionally, some X-rays may require preparation, such as not wearing jewelry or perfume and avoiding zippers, buttons, or wires in the area of the X-ray. For specialty X-rays, such as an Upper GI (Barium Swallow), patients may need to fast after midnight on the day of the appointment. These factors may influence the timing and availability of X-rays at different hospitals.
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Preparation for X-rays
Preparation for an X-ray depends on the type of X-ray you're getting. Here are some general and specific preparation tips for X-rays:
General Preparation Tips:
- Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
- Inform your doctor or technologist if you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
- Leave valuables and jewellery at home or in your room in the hospital.
- Inform the hospital if you need a translator.
- Avoid wearing perfumes, lotions, or creams as they can cause shadows on the X-ray images.
- Inform your healthcare provider about your health history, allergies, and any medications you're taking.
Specific Preparation Tips:
- Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract X-ray: Do not eat or drink after midnight on the day of the appointment, except for what is necessary to swallow medications.
- Bone X-ray: No special preparation is required. However, if you are in pain due to an injury, discuss taking pain medication with your doctor, as the technologist may need to move your bones and joints during the procedure.
- Abdominal X-ray: Empty your bladder before the procedure. Do not drink excessively on the morning of the procedure.
- Joint X-ray (Arthrography): No special preparation is required. However, if you are receiving a sedative, you may need to fast.
- Chest X-ray: No special preparation is required.
- Contrast X-rays: You may be required to drink a contrast medium or take a pill to help outline specific areas of your body. Your provider will give you the contrast material before the X-ray.
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Priority levels for X-rays
Hospitals typically have 24-hour access to X-ray services for inpatients and the emergency department. However, for outpatients, X-ray services are generally available during weekdays and weekends, albeit with reduced hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
When it comes to priority levels for X-rays, a radiologist assigns patients a priority level of 1 to 4, with level 1 indicating an emergency, and these patients receive immediate scans. Priority 2 is the most urgent level for non-emergency cases. The specific criteria for assigning priority levels ensure that patients most in need are seen first and that wait times are appropriate for individual conditions.
The optimisation of medical X-ray imaging is a complex issue, with over 1000 different types of X-ray examinations available. A simplistic approach to optimisation is to use the lowest effective dose that still allows for an accurate diagnosis. However, this approach does not consider the varying levels of effective doses for different individuals, which can be influenced by factors such as height, weight, the procedure being performed, and the body area exposed to radiation.
Recent research has also questioned the use of "contrast-detail phantoms" in optimisation methods, suggesting that phantoms producing clinically realistic background images or real clinical images-modified with respect to quantum noise levels are preferable. Furthermore, the choice between X-ray and CT examinations introduces further considerations. CT examinations are often prioritised due to their higher correlation between detection tasks and radiation dose, as well as their technical advances.
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Radiation exposure during X-rays
While X-rays are a common imaging procedure, they do expose patients to radiation. The radiation exposure from an X-ray depends on the type of imaging test used and the body part being examined. For example, a chest X-ray exposes a patient to about 0.1 mSv of radiation, equivalent to about 10 days of natural background radiation. In contrast, a lower GI series X-ray of the large intestine exposes a person to about 8 mSv, or roughly three years' worth of average background radiation.
It is important to note that the effective dose of radiation can vary depending on a person's size, age, and the specific reason for the imaging. Certain organs and tissues may be more sensitive to radiation exposure, and the total number of medical procedures using radiation over time can also influence the overall risk. Additionally, pregnant individuals should inform their healthcare provider or radiologist before undergoing an X-ray procedure.
To minimize radiation exposure during X-rays, patients may be asked to remove any metallic objects, such as jewelry or clothing with zippers, and wear a hospital gown. For some X-rays, patients may also be provided with a lead covering to shield other parts of the body from radiation.
Compared to other imaging tests, X-rays typically use lower amounts of radiation. However, the cumulative effect of radiation exposure from multiple sources, including medical imaging, can slightly increase the risk of cancer later in life. Nevertheless, modern technology has led to the development of high-resolution multi-energy digital X-ray imagers that offer faster, cheaper, and lower-radiation alternatives to traditional CT scans.
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X-ray procedures for children
X-ray procedures are often required to diagnose and treat several medical conditions in children. While these procedures are beneficial, it is important to remember that children are more sensitive to radiation than adults. Here are some guidelines and suggestions for parents and caregivers regarding X-ray procedures for children:
Understanding the Need for X-rays
X-rays are imaging tests that provide valuable information about the structures inside the body, such as bones, organs, and other internal parts. They are typically recommended when a physician suspects a medical problem that cannot be easily detected through a routine physical examination. X-rays can help diagnose various health issues, from broken bones to stomach pain.
Minimizing Radiation Exposure
It is essential to minimize unnecessary radiation exposure in children. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) defines pediatric patients as persons aged 21 or younger, and they are considered more radiosensitive than adults. This means that their risk of cancer per unit dose of ionizing radiation is higher. Therefore, healthcare professionals should use techniques that minimize radiation exposure while still achieving adequate image quality for diagnosis.
Precautions and Preparations
Before the X-ray procedure, parents and caregivers should keep a record of their child's previous X-ray imaging to inform discussions with the referring physician. It is important to ask about the benefits and risks of the procedure and explore alternative options that do not involve ionizing radiation. Additionally, follow any specific instructions provided by the medical team, such as removing dense objects like zippers, buttons, wires, or jewelry from the area being X-rayed. In some cases, your child may need to change into a hospital gown.
During the Procedure
It is recommended to bring a family member or friend to the appointment for support and to help remember important information. Write down any new diagnoses, medications, treatments, or instructions provided by the healthcare provider. Understand why a particular medicine or treatment is prescribed and be aware of any potential side effects. Ask questions and seek clarification on any concerns you may have.
After the Procedure
Keep a record of the X-ray imaging and any relevant details to inform future discussions with healthcare professionals. This includes the date, type of X-ray, and reason for the procedure. This information can be useful for follow-up appointments or future medical needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, hospitals offer X-rays 24 hours a day.
It depends on the hospital and whether you are an inpatient or outpatient. Inpatients and emergency patients do not need appointments, while outpatients typically do.
X-ray exams can take anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes, depending on the number of views required, the illness, age, and cooperation of the patient.
You may be asked to change into a hospital gown before your X-ray to ensure there are no dense objects covering the body in the region of the X-ray. For some specialty X-rays, such as an Upper GI (Barium Swallow), you may be instructed not to eat or drink after midnight on the day of the appointment.
