Whether it's time for your mammogram or your doctor orders an MRI or a specialized heart imaging test, Humboldt General Hospital can offer you the high-quality exam you deserve.
Our imaging technology and expertise are as good as you'll find in a larger city, so you don't have to travel to get the care you need.
Why you can trust our imaging center
Here are a few good reasons to choose the radiology team at HGH:
Highly trained staff. Our technologists are licensed with the state of Nevada and are registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
Reviewed 9/30/2022
4 facts and myths about imaging and radiation
Imaging tests are used to look inside the body. They help doctors diagnose conditions and determine the best treatments. There are various types of imaging tests, many of which use radiation. The type of imaging recommended for you will depend on the goal of the test, your condition and the part of your body being examined.
To help you understand more about imaging and radiation, here are some common myths and facts.
Myth or fact: You should avoid all radiation.
MYTH. We’re exposed to radiation every day. We get it from the air, outer space, the ground and even the food we eat. Scientists measure radiation in millisieverts (mSv). It’s estimated that the average person in the U.S. receives a dose of about 3 mSv per year just through natural means.
For comparison, the radiation you receive from an x-ray of your ankle is 0.001 mSv. That’s equal to 3 hours of natural radiation. A CT scan of your lungs imparts 1.5 mSv, or the equivalent of six months of natural radiation. Even that amount is considered a very low health risk.
If you need imaging that uses radiation, the radiologist will ensure you’re exposed to the lowest amount possible for an effective test.
Myth or fact: All imaging tests use some form of radiation.
MYTH. Plain x-rays, CT scans and nuclear scans use radiation. But ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans don’t.
An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image. MRIs use a large magnet and radio waves.
Myth or fact: Imaging tests that use radiation are considered safe.
FACT. Many activities we think of as safe—like taking a walk—carry some degree of risk. Similarly, imaging tests that use radiation are considered safe. Radiologists use the lowest radiation possible to get effective images. It would take ultra-high levels of radiation—far more than those used in diagnostic imaging—to potentially cause cancer later in life.
Still, you want to minimize your exposure to radiation when possible. If you’re worried that your imaging test will expose you to unnecessary radiation, discuss your concerns with your doctor or the radiologist. Maybe you’ve had a similar test done recently that could provide the information they need. Or you may have the option of a different test that wouldn’t expose you to radiation.
Myth or fact: Radiation tests can make you infertile.
MYTH. Very high radiation doses can harm eggs or sperm. But the amount of radiation used in diagnostic radiology is very low. No studies have shown that low-level radiation exposure to eggs or sperm causes birth defects or miscarriage. Even cancer patients whose ovaries received fairly high levels of radiation have shown no negative lasting effects.
You can lower your risk from an imaging test by letting your doctor know if you are—or think you could be—pregnant before having the procedure. Your doctor might want to postpone or modify it to lower the amount of radiation you’ll receive.
Learn more about specific imaging tests and how they might be used.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; The Joint Commission; Radiological Society of North America
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Radiation in Healthcare: Imaging Procedures." https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/ionizing.htm.
- Radiological Society of North America. "How Big is the Risk From Medical Imaging to Future Generations? "https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=safety-hiw_14.
- Radiological Society of North America. "How Much Dose Do I Get From Different Imaging Procedures?" https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/safety-hiw_07.
- Radiological Society of North America. "Is Diagnostic Medical Radiation Safe?" https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/safety-hiw_02.
- Radiological Society of North America. "Radiation Dose." https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/safety-xray.
- The Joint Commission. "Speak Up Medical Imaging. X-rays, MRIs, and Other Medical Imaging Tests." https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/for-consumers/speak-up-campaigns/medical-imaging/.
We have a board-certified radiologist in our department to review and interpret most imaging tests. A cardiologist reviews heart tests.
Top–of-the-line equipment. We have invested in modern equipment for our community. Here are some of the highlights:
- Our 3-D digital mammography, which creates detailed images that can help improve breast cancer detection. These high-quality images also reduce the need for radiologists to call patients back for additional tests.
- Our latest MRI scanner has artificial intelligence for better image quality and has patient-friendly features, like a quieter scan in half the time.
- Our advanced computed tomography (CT) technology and techniques help us limit the amount of radiation you are exposed to during a scan.
Comprehensive services. Imaging tests we perform include:
- Digital x-rays (available without an appointment).
- Bone densitometry to help diagnose osteoporosis.
- Body composition scans, which measure total fat versus muscle.
- Ultrasound exams of the heart and blood vessels.
- Nuclear medicine.
- Heart, vascular, and pregnancy ultrasound exams.
Easy access. Our goal is to get you in as quickly as possible when you need an imaging test.
Our outpatient imaging department is open for scheduled appointments Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A member of our staff is always available to answer calls to the emergency department.
Schedule your imaging test
With the exception of mammograms and body composition scans, you will need an order from your doctor to have a medical imaging test. To schedule an imaging test, please call 775.623.5222, ext. 1130.