Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine is a specialty field within radiology that uses a small amount of radioactive material to look at the structure and function of most parts of the body. The procedures are non-invasive and require no anesthesia. The radioactive material can be injected, swallowed or inhaled.
Due to the low amount of radioactivity, the type of radiation given off by the material, and the short radioactive half-life, there is very little radiation exposure. For most studies, the amount is often times compared to that of a chest x-ray. If you are not pregnant, you should have no concerns about radiation exposure to you or others with the studies performed at Jones Regional Medical Center. There are risks that must be evaluated for women who may be pregnant or who are breastfeeding. Please inform either the radiology department or the ordering provider if there is a chance of pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding.
Any preparation for your particular exam will be given to you when the exam is scheduled.
Nuclear Medicine is provided by a mobile service at Jones Regional Medical Center on Tuesdays. You will be contacted the day before the exam with the time of the exam.
If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact Jones Regional Medical Center, Imaging Services department by 5 pm, the business day before your study. Patients are generally held responsible for the cost of the radioactive material used for the test if the exam is not cancelled by that time.
Jones Regional Medical Center began offering Nuclear Medicine services June 2011.
For scheduling and/or questions please contact Imaging Services at (319) 481-6369.
