Diagnostic Imaging

Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Exam Information

A Bone Mineral Density (BMD) exam uses a low dose of x-ray to measure the amount of mineral in the bones of your lower back, hip, and sometimes forearm.

At the start of your appointment, you’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire and have your height and weight measured. You must be able to stand for this portion of the exam.

During the test, you’ll lie on a table for several minutes while a small x-ray detector scans the designated area. You may be asked to:

The exam takes approximately 15 minutes.

Booking Process
All requisitions are reviewed by a technologist before an appointment is scheduled. Your physician will fax the requisition to the Diagnostic Imaging department, and our booking clerk will contact you with an appointment time.

Booking Inquiries: Call 613-774-2420 ext. 6244
Fax Requisitions: 613-774-5385

Attending the Exam
Please arrive at the Diagnostic Imaging department 15 minutes before your appointment, and avoid wearing clothing with zippers, buttons, glitter, or metallic designs, as these may interfere with the imaging.

Please remember to bring your Health card.

WDMH is equipped with a Canon Serve SP 80-slice scanner. A CT (Computed Tomography) scan produces a series of detailed images of specific parts of the body. During the scan, the x-ray tube rotates around the area being examined while the table moves the patient through the scanner. The images are generated using technical settings that ensure the lowest possible radiation dose while maintaining high-quality diagnostic results.

All CT exams are performed by Medical Radiation Technologists with specialized training in CT. Requisitions must be triaged by a Radiologist or Technologist before an appointment is scheduled. Your physician will send the requisition to the Diagnostic Imaging department, and our booking clerk will contact you with your appointment time.

Booking Inquiries: Call 613-774-2420 ext. 6249
Fax Requisitions: 613-774-5385

Attending the Exam
Please arrive at the Diagnostic Imaging department 15 minutes before your appointment time.

Preparing for the Exam

• Neuroradiological Exams (CT of head, spine, angiography of head or neck):
  No preparation required.

• Musculoskeletal Exams (CT of extremities):
  No preparation required.

• Thoracic Exams (CT of chest, including high-resolution CT for interstitial lung disease, pulmonary emboli, and routine chest):
  No preparation required.
  If scheduled for a combination chest/abdomen and/or pelvis exam, please refer to the instructions below.

• Abdomen and Pelvis Exams:

• Colonography Exams:

An X-ray (radiograph) is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat various conditions. It involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce images of internal structures. X-rays are the oldest and most commonly used form of medical imaging.

There are two ways to book most general X-ray exams:

Attending the Exam

Please arrive at the Diagnostic Imaging department 15 minutes before your appointment.
You must bring your Health card and the signed requisition with you **Note that we require a faxed or physical copies of the requisition, an image on your phone cannot be accepted**
Due to government legislation, X-ray exams cannot be performed without a signed requisition from a physician or nurse practitioner.

During Your Exam

You may be asked to change into a hospital gown to ensure no metal objects interfere with the imaging.
Please do not bring valuables to the imaging department.
If there is a chance you may be pregnant, inform the technologist before the exam.

After Your Exam

Most general X-ray exams have no post-exam restrictions.
Your images will be sent to our PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) for review by a Radiologist.
An official report will be sent to the ordering physician.

WDMH is a digital CAR-accredited mammography site.

We offer Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) self-referral screening mammograms on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Physician-referred screening and diagnostic mammograms are performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

What is a Mammogram?

A mammogram is an x-ray image of the breast used to detect breast cancer in individuals who have no symptoms. This is called a screening mammogram, and typically includes two images of each breast.

Diagnostic mammography is used to evaluate abnormal clinical findings such as a breast lump, nipple discharge, or new pain. It may also be performed following an abnormal screening result. Diagnostic exams are often paired with a breast ultrasound to help rule out cancer.

Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP)

The OBSP is a province-wide, organized breast screening program offering high-quality breast cancer screening.
No requisition is required from your physician, but you must be between the ages of 40 and 74 and have no prior history of breast cancer.

To book an OBSP screening mammogram, please call 613-774-2420 ext. 6260 if you have not had a mammogram in the past year.

Learn more about the Ontario Breast Screening Program [link or resource can be added here].

Booking Inquiries for Diagnostic or Physician-Referred Exams
Call 613-774-2420 ext. 6244
Fax requisitions to 613-774-5385

Attending the Exam

Please arrive at the Diagnostic Imaging Department 15 minutes before your appointment time.

Preparing for the Exam

Do not wear deodorant, talcum powder, or lotion under your arms or on your breasts on the day of the exam, as these can appear on the mammogram as calcium spots.

Breast Assessment Program

WDMH’s Breast Care Program supports patients who require further imaging or biopsy following a screening or diagnostic mammogram.
Our technologists will explain the next steps to the patient in preparation for any future procedures.

WDMH has three general ultrasound units. Unlike x-ray exams, which use ionizing radiation, ultrasound uses sound waves to generate images of internal organs for diagnostic purposes.

All ultrasound requisitions are triaged by a Radiologist or Technologist before an appointment is scheduled. Your physician will send the requisition to the Diagnostic Imaging Department, and an appointment time will be provided to you or your physician by our booking clerk.

Booking Inquiries: Call 613-774-2420 ext. 6244
Fax Requisitions: 613-774-5385

Attending the Exam

Please arrive at the Diagnostic Imaging Department 15 minutes before your appointment time.
You may take any prescribed medications with a small amount of water.

Preparing for the Exam

• Abdominal Ultrasound
  This is a fasting exam.

• Patients are welcome to bring one adult friend or family member to the appointment.

• Upon request, children (12 and under) may be invited into the room after the study is completed to view the images.

• Obstetrical ultrasound photos are available for a $10 fee