If your physician has ordered an ultrasound, please follow any preparation instructions you are provided to ensure a smooth examination. Most ultrasounds do not require any preparation, however certain abdominal or pelvic examinations require you not to eat for 4-6 hours prior to the exam or arrive for your appointment with a full urinary bladder. Ultrasound utilizes sound waves to obtain pictures of internal body structures, there is no radiation involved. This makes the test relatively easy and completely safe even if you are pregnant or think you may be. In addition, because ultrasound does not expose you to any ionizing radiation, your physician may feel it is an appropriate screening examination for a variety of conditions.
 

"Southern Inyo Hospital's Ultrasound department employs only Board Certified, Registered Sonographers so you may feel confident that your technologist has passed rigorous national examinations in ultrasound and has the experience to provide a high quality examination for your doctor."

You should wear comfortable, loose clothing without any metal buttons or jewelry that will be "in the way" of the anatomy to be pictured. Plain cotton or elastic pants and shirts/blouses are best, in some instances you may have to change into a hospital gown for the examination if the technologist feels the clothes you are wearing may interfere with getting a high quality image. The technologist will need to use a gel on the ultrasound probe to better conduct the sound-waves for the test. This gel is non-staining and may simply be wiped off after the examination is complete. Our technologists will always respect your privacy and ensure you remain covered throughout the examination, although the body part to be examined will need to be exposed temporarily.