As a medical practitioner, you know that education is important to help patients create the best health outcome. However, you also know that the implications of possible deficiencies in knowledge can have detrimental effects on your facility.
We use state-of-the-art Siemens, GE, and Toshiba/Canon technology to provide you with the highest-quality solutions. Contact us today at info@catalinaimaging.com or call us at (844) 949-1664!
“Obesity impacts medical imaging. The increases in weight and girth of the patient population are testing the current limits of imaging equipment. With the increasing prevalence of overweight and obese populations, more patients are encountering difficulties in obtaining diagnostic-quality images.”
So if a patient insists on being scanned with a full body CT, what advice would you give them? Here are some things to share with overweight patients.
Patients above their ideal weight may wonder if this imaging procedure is safe for them. You can give them a definite yes!
CT scans are considered one of the safest medical imaging tests available today. They help doctors diagnose tumors and other abnormalities in the body more accurately and quickly than different types of imaging tests like X-ray or MRI.
Most doctors may not always recommend having a full body scan because of how long they take and how much radiation they use up (which can accumulate over time). But they will allow their patients who weigh over 200 pounds to get one if necessary without hesitation.
The weight limit of a CT scanner is based on the patient’s weight. How much does it weigh?
Well, that depends on the size of your machine and how big your patient is. Typically between 300 and 400 pounds (136 to 181kg), this number can vary greatly depending on your device and even your model.
For example, larger models may have higher weight limits than smaller ones because they hold more people at once while accommodating more heavy patients. But there are still plenty of smaller scanners with lower maximum capacities than others!
And if all else fails, remember no matter what kind or size CT scan you need to perform today, experts trained in handling such situations should be done today. Be wary of seedy places with unscrupulous practices!
A body mass index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. It is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems, such as being underweight or overweight.
The more fat and muscle your patients have, the more radiation their body absorbs. So if they’re overweight or obese, that means more radiation for them and more for you to worry about.
If the patient is overweight (BMI>30), you may recommend that they get a lower dose of radiation during your CT scan than someone who is less heavy.
If you have an overweight patient, there are a few things that you should consider before recommending a CT scan. First, it’s important to determine whether any alternative imaging methods can be recommended for the particular condition being studied.
You must also consider if the information obtained from a CT scan would be valuable to make a diagnosis. For example, if a chest X-ray or ultrasound is sufficient for you to get what you need to know, then you can request those tests instead.
Second, ask yourself why the doctor who requested it wants them to have this test done. It will help give you more clarity on whether it’s necessary.
If there’s an emergency where time matters more than anything else (for example, if there’s suspicion of internal bleeding), then yes—it might be worth going for a CT scan even.
However, it may mean exposing the patient to high radiation doses and may cause more harm if done repeatedly over long periods without breaks between sessions.
What are the risks of missing out on CT Scans for heavy patients?
In some cases, CT scans are the best way to diagnose certain conditions. These include cancer, tumors, blood clots, and infections like pneumonia.
They can also detect fractures of bones and blood clots in the brain. A CT scan is also used to look for blood clots in the lungs if the patient has a heart attack or stroke.
In conclusion, the main goal in heavy imaging patients is to minimize the risks associated with the procedure. Thus, knowing their weight and BMI (body mass index) is important before undergoing any X-ray or CT scan. Most of all, make sure that they clearly understand with their doctors and radiologists how they will handle any potential injuries that might occur due to this test.
The next time you need a mobile scanner, contact Catalina Imaging at info@catalinaimaging.com or call us at (844) 949-1664. We’ll help you find the perfect solution for your imaging needs!
