Ultrasound is a medical procedure using high frequency sound waves. There is no radiation used in Ultrasound. Devices we call “Probes” send and receive these sound waves producing real time pictures. These pictures include various body parts, organs, and blood flow.
An ultrasound exam takes on average 30 minutes but can take up to 2.5 hours
At Women’s College Hospital we offer:
- all general ultrasounds (abdomen, pelvis)
- obstetrical imaging
Contact Info
76 Grenville St
Floor 2
Toronto, ON M5S 1B2
Hours of Service
Booking Office Hours:
Monday to Friday
7:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.
A referral from a physician is required.
ELECTRONIC REFERRALS
The Joint Department of Medical Imaging is now accepting referrals through Ocean eReferral to help everyone save time and to increase efficiency.
Ocean Network eReferral benefits for providers include:
- Accelerates appointment booking by improving communication between providers with secure bidirectional messaging
- Easy to use – integrates with top EMRs such as Telus PSS, Accuro and Oscar
- User friendly web-based portal
- Keeps you and your patients informed of referral status with automated email notifications and EMR status updates
- Patients can confirm appointment electronically
Ocean eReferral Network: For more information about eReferral can be found here.
FAX REFERRALS
The MRI Request Form (.pdf) is PDF writeable enabling external referring physicians to type directly into the form, print, sign and fax to Women’s College Hospital.
Typed requisitions will improve overall legibility and completeness of the forms we receive. Please note this electronic version cannot be populated and saved, but must be printed, signed and faxed to the appropriate number indicated on top of the form.
Learn how to prepare for your ultrasound appointment:
I’m having an abdominal ultrasound
- You are required to fast for six hours before your exam time. You may drink plain water as your usual routine.
- Do not empty your bladder for 2 hours before your exam time.
- If you are taking medication, take your medication as per your prescription.
- If you are diabetic, ensure your blood sugar levels are maintained by drinkingsugar containing liquids as needed.
- For kidney or bladder exams, a full bladder is needed. Please arrive with a comfortably full bladder. Drink 2 cups (500 ml) of water, starting 2 hours prior to your exam. Aim to finish your water about 30 minutes before your scheduled exam, as this will give your bladder enough time to fill adequately. If you find that your bladder is overly uncomfortable before the exam, it is okay to use the restroom and release a small amount of urine. For questions regarding how to ensure a full bladder, please consult with your referring provider.
You will feel slight pressure while a sonographer moves a hand-held device called a transducer across the skin to obtain images.
No followup care is required.
A report will be sent to your doctor within 10 days.
I’m having a pelvic ultrasound (non-pregnant)
Drink 2 cups (500 ml) of water, starting 2 hours prior to your exam. Aim to finish your water about 30 minutes before your scheduled exam, as this will give your bladder enough time to fill adequately. If you find that your bladder is overly uncomfortable before the exam, it is okay to use the restroom and release a small amount of urine. For questions regarding how to ensure a full bladder, please consult with your referring provider.
You will feel slight pressure while a sonographer moves a hand-held device called a transducer across the skin to obtain images.
No followup care is required.
A report will be sent to your doctor within 10 days.
I’m having an abdominal and pelvic ultrasound
Combined abdominal and pelvic ultrasounds require you to fast for four to six hours. Do not empty your bladder for two hours prior to the examination. You can have a small amount of water and take your medications. If you have diabetes you can have some tea and dry toast. You can take your medications as required.
You will feel slight pressure while a sonographer moves a hand-held device called a transducer across the skin to obtain images.
No followup care is required.
A report will be sent to your doctor within 10 days.
I’m having a pregnancy (obstetrical) ultrasound
Eat and drink normally. You are not required to drink extra fluids before your ultrasound. Do not empty your bladder for one hour before your exam.
You will feel slight pressure while a sonographer moves a hand-held device called a transducer across the skin to obtain images.
No followup care is required.
A report will be sent to your doctor within 10 days.
I’m having a sonohysterogram
please inform booking person of the first day of your last period
Eat and drink normally. If you are premenopausal (having periods) or postmenopausal on sequential hormone replacement (you have regular period-like bleeding), your exam should be done between day 6 and day 10 of your menstrual cycle. If you are postmenopausal and do not have periods, your test can be done at any time. Take manufacturers recommended dose of ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) or any other pain medication you normally take for menstrual pain 30 minutes prior to the scheduled examination time.
You may feel mild uterine cramping similar to menstrual cramps.
The first part of the exam usually takes about 15 minutes and the second part of the exam takes about 20 minutes.
In order to reduce the risk of infection, patients are to have nothing in the vaginal cavity for 48 hours following the procedure: no douching, swimming, hot tubs, baths (showers only), no sexual intercourse or tampons (only sanitary napkins).
A report will be sent to your doctor within 10 days.
No special preparations are required for the following examinations:
- arm (and arm Doppler), shoulder, wrist, hand, leg (and leg Doppler), knee, foot, chest
- thyroid (non biopsy)
- testicular (scrotal)