Clinical services
Radiology & Imaging
CT scanning, digital X-ray, ultrasound including obstetric scanning, colour Doppler and bedside portable imaging for intensive care — reported by radiologists working inside the hospital.
Imaging that keeps pace with the patient
Imaging answers questions that examination cannot: is this stroke a clot or a bleed, is this abdominal pain an appendix or a stone, is this breathless patient's lung collapsed, has this fracture displaced. The value of the answer depends almost entirely on how fast it arrives.
The radiology department at SIMS runs CT and X-ray services round the clock, with ultrasound and Doppler through the working day and on call for emergencies. A head CT for a suspected stroke or head injury can be performed within minutes of the patient reaching the emergency department, because the scanner is a short walk from the resuscitation bay.
Radiologists work on site rather than reporting remotely from another city. That means they can discuss a scan with the surgeon, look at the patient, review the previous films, and add a suggestion about what to do next — which is the part of a report that changes management.
Imaging services
CT scanning
Plain and contrast studies of the brain, chest, abdomen, pelvis and spine, including stroke and trauma protocols, CT urography for stone disease and CT-guided aspiration or biopsy where indicated.
Digital X-ray
Chest, skeletal, spine and abdominal radiography. Digital acquisition uses a lower radiation dose than conventional film, produces images immediately and allows the treating doctor to view them on screen.
Ultrasound
Abdomen and pelvis, kidney and urinary tract, liver and gallbladder, thyroid, breast, scrotum and soft-tissue scanning, plus ultrasound-guided aspiration, drainage and biopsy.
Obstetric ultrasound
Dating, anomaly, growth and Doppler scans through pregnancy, performed in line with the PCPNDT Act. Sex determination is a criminal offence and is never performed or disclosed.
Colour Doppler
Arterial and venous studies of the limbs for suspected deep vein thrombosis, varicose veins and diabetic vascular disease; carotid Doppler after stroke or transient ischaemic attack; and renal and obstetric Doppler.
Portable imaging
Bedside X-ray and ultrasound for intensive care and post-operative patients who are ventilated, unstable or unsafe to move — the scan travels to the patient rather than the reverse.
How to prepare, by scan type
Preparation differs by modality and by the part of the body being examined. Confirm the instructions for your specific study when you book — the technologist will tell you exactly what is needed.
| Study | Preparation | Approximate time in the department |
|---|---|---|
| Digital X-ray | None. Remove metal, jewellery and clothing with fasteners over the area being imaged | A few minutes |
| Ultrasound abdomen | Fast 6–8 hours; avoid fizzy drinks; take regular medicines with a sip of water | 15–30 minutes |
| Ultrasound pelvis | Do not empty the bladder for about an hour beforehand — a full bladder is needed to see the pelvic organs | 15–30 minutes |
| Obstetric ultrasound | No fasting; bring all previous scan reports and your antenatal card | 20–30 minutes |
| Colour Doppler (limbs or neck) | None. Wear loose clothing that allows access to the limb or neck | 30–45 minutes |
| CT without contrast | Usually none. Remove metal objects from the area being scanned | 15–20 minutes |
| CT with contrast | Fast 4–6 hours; recent kidney function test required; inform staff about diabetes medication, asthma and previous contrast reactions | 30–60 minutes including observation |
Tell the technologist, the radiologist and the referring doctor before any X-ray or CT scan if you are pregnant, think you might be, or have a missed period. You will be asked to declare this and it is not a formality — X-rays and CT use ionising radiation, and although the dose from a single study is small, an alternative such as ultrasound or MRI can often answer the same question without radiation. Where imaging with radiation is genuinely necessary in pregnancy, it is done with shielding and the lowest dose that will still give an answer.
Radiation safety in practice
Radiation is a real risk that is managed, not an imaginary one and not one to be casually dismissed. The principle is to use the lowest dose that answers the clinical question.
- Every X-ray and CT request is reviewed for justification — whether the scan will actually change the decision being made
- Digital radiography is used in place of conventional film, reducing dose and eliminating repeat exposures caused by processing errors
- Paediatric protocols use reduced settings, because children are more sensitive to radiation and have more years ahead in which effects could appear
- Lead shielding for areas outside the field of interest, and lead aprons for an attendant who must stay with a child or a frail patient
- Ultrasound and Doppler, which use no ionising radiation, are chosen first wherever they can answer the question
- Rooms are shielded and equipment is subject to periodic quality checks and regulatory requirements for radiation installations
- Previous scans are reviewed before repeating a study, so that the same imaging is not performed twice
Contrast studies — what the staff need to know
Iodinated contrast makes blood vessels, tumours and inflammation visible on CT. It is generally safe, but a few groups need precautions, and the department can only take them if you disclose the information.
- Any previous reaction to contrast dye, iodine or a scan — even a rash or vomiting years ago
- Asthma, severe allergies or a history of anaphylaxis
- Known kidney disease, dialysis, or a raised creatinine — a recent kidney function test is usually required before contrast
- Diabetes medication containing metformin, which may need to be paused around the scan on your doctor's instruction
- Thyroid disease or planned radioactive iodine treatment
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Heart failure or fluid restriction, since contrast studies involve intravenous fluid
Common questions
Is a CT scan safe? I have heard it is a lot of radiation.
A CT scan does deliver more radiation than a plain X-ray, which is precisely why it is not ordered casually. For a patient with a suspected bleed in the brain, an injury after a road accident or an acute abdomen, the risk of missing the diagnosis is far greater than the radiation risk. What should be avoided is repeated scanning without a clear question — so bring your previous films, and ask your doctor what the scan will change.
Do I need an appointment for a scan?
Emergency imaging is done as required, without appointment. Routine ultrasound, Doppler and CT are scheduled, partly because contrast studies and abdominal scans need preparation. Book through the diagnostics counter or the appointment desk and bring your doctor's request slip.
Will you tell me the baby's sex on the antenatal scan?
No. Disclosing the sex of a foetus is a criminal offence under the PCPNDT Act, and no doctor, technologist or staff member at the hospital will do it, in any wording, for any reason. Please do not ask — the request puts staff in a difficult position and the answer will always be the same.
Not sure which department you need?
Share your symptoms and the appointment desk will route you to the right consultant. For anything sudden or severe, do not wait for a callback — come to the emergency department.