275 Sandwich Street
Plymouth, MA 02360
Beth Israel Deaconess Imaging at the Park
45 Resnik Road, First Floor
Plymouth, MA 02360
Directions to 45 Resnik Road
Available for patients Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please contact BID-Plymouth’s Central Scheduling Department at 508-830-2778.
Whether it is called diagnostic imaging, radiology or x-ray, this field has blossomed as doctors use it more often to confirm diagnoses. BID-Plymouth offers many options from traditional x-rays to high-resolution ultrasounds to sophisticated Positron Emission Technology, known as PET scans. Two CT machines and two MRI machines are located at the hospital. In addition, a special MRI machine for extremities is located in Duxbury.
BID-Plymouth provides a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to both inpatients and outpatients, including:
All Diagnostic Imaging procedures, with the exception of routine screening mammography, require a written order from a physician.
Many services require advance appointments, which are handled through Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth’s Central Scheduling Department. Referring physicians provide patients with instructions on how to arrange these appointments through Central Scheduling. The Central Scheduling Department also provides all necessary information for preparation, arrival time, and parking, so patients should have a pencil and paper available when they call.
Since different facilities may use different preparations, it is important to follow the instructions provided by BID-Plymouth.
What is Diagnostic Imaging?
Imaging procedures utilize ionizing radiation, radioactive isotopes, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance to produce images of various parts of the body. These images are used by radiologists and your physician to diagnose, or aid in the diagnoses, of various medical conditions. Certain examinations (such as mammography) are used as a screening tool.
Nursing care in the Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth Diagnostic Imaging Department is provided by registered nurses who have undergone specialized training is Diagnostic Imaging.
Angiography is a type of x-ray that is performed to image blood vessels in various parts of the body, including the heart brain, and kidneys, so as to determine whether the vessels are diseased, narrowed, enlarged or blocked altogether. After passing a catheter through an artery leading to the area being evaluated, an intravenous contrast is injected to highlight the vessels while x-rays are taken. Today, many catheter angiographic studies have been replaced by less invasive methods, such as computed tomography (CT) angiography and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography, that do not require that a catheter be inserted. Both CTA and MRA (non cardiac) are available at Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth. Catheter angiography is widely used still in patients who may undergo surgery, angioplasty, or stent placement.
Bone density testing or bone mineral testing is a quick and painless procedure similar to a routine x-ray, which allows for early detection of the loss of bone density, which could indicate osteoporosis or other metabolic bone diseases.
The bone density equipment at Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth uses a very low dose of radiation to produce a computerized image of the lumbar spine, hips, and forearm. Patients should bring a list of all medications they are taking, and should avoid wearing denim if possible.
The test takes about twenty minutes, and results are interpreted by a physician who is board certified in both rheumatology and internal medicine.
Appointments, which should be scheduled through Central Scheduling, are available Monday through Friday, days, and until 7:30 p.m. one evening a week.
Computerized Tomography (CT)
A full range of Computerized Tomography (CT) procedures are offered. Two helical scanners produce cross sectional images of any anatomical area of interest. This technology also provides extremely rapid scanning. Intravenous CT contrast is administered as needed. A separate workstation provides 3D and CT Angiography capability.
All full time staff technologists are registered in CT by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or are CT Registry eligible. Registry eligible technologists are required to sit for the registration examination within one year of hire. All technologists are CPR certified and trained in venipuncture by a Radiology registered nurse. All technologists meet continuing education requirements of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Radiation Control Program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
All outpatient CT procedures require an appointment. Appointments for all procedures are available seven days a week. In addition, certain examinations can be performed on weekday evenings.
Radiology utilizes radiation to produce images. Routine diagnostic procedures are performed during the following hours:
Monday- Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday 7:30 a.m. to Noon
Emergency procedures are available twenty-four hours per day through the Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth Emergency Department.
Certain procedures, which require a radiologist to be present, require an appointment. A radiologist is a physician specializing in diagnostic imaging. Some examples are Upper GI Series, Barium Enemas, IVP’s and Arthrograms.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A full range of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedures are offered to include multiplanar imaging of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine and joints. Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) is provided for evaluation of the abdominal, chest, neck, extremity and intercranial vessels.
All outpatient procedures require an appointment. Appointments for all procedures are available at the Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth site seven days a week. In addition, certain examinations can be performed at Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth on weekday evenings.
Mammography is a type of imaging that uses a low-dose x-ray system for examination of the breasts. Mammography is offered to all patients for screening and diagnostic purposes. For information about free mammograms, click here.
All Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth mammography technologists are certified in this specialty by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and maintain a state license specific to mammography. Yearly continuing education and performance standards are required to maintain certification. The mammography department at Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth is accredited by the American College of Radiology.
Patients should not use deodorant or powder prior to their appointment. The patient should bring prior mammograms from other facilities with them.
Appointments, which should be scheduled through Central Scheduling, are available weekdays, some weeknights, and Saturday mornings.
Nuclear Imaging utilizes radionuclides (an isotope of artificial or natural origin that exhibits radioactivity) to produce images of bones and internal organs.
One device, a nuclear imaging machine, employs a scintillation camera, which can rotate around the body to pick up radiation emitted by an injected radioactive substance. For instance, iodine localizes in the thyroid, and thallium localizes in the heart. Through computerization, a digitized image of a particular organ is produced.
A full range of nuclear imaging services is offered to include functional imaging of most internal organs. Nuclear cardiology is also offered.
All outpatient Nuclear Medicine procedures require an appointment and a written order. Appointments are available on weekdays.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
PET allows the study of organ function and is often used to detect cancer or the effects of cancer treatment. In fact, PET imaging adds a new dimension and sensitivity to the evaluation of cancer patients. CT scans show structural details of the body in cross-sections, while PET images detect the difference between diseased and healthy tissues, based on the particles they emit. This allows physicians to more sensitively localize a tumor, and be able to asses a tumor’s response to therapy.
A full range of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging procedures are offered through a mobile unit.
PET studies are booked by your physician directly.
Ultrasound examinations utilize high frequency sound waves to create cross sectional images of soft tissue organs. There is no radiation involved with this test. Sonographers (specially trained technologists) produce images in the abdomen and pelvis as well as the breast, thryroid, testicles, the pregnant uterus and the veins in the extremities.
All exams require warm gel to be applied to the area of evaluation. A small instruments is placed on the skin to generate images. Some gynecologic ultrasounds require an internal scan as well. The exam is painless. While many exams have no preparation, other require fasting or drinking 24 oz. of water. Preparations will be provided by the Central Scheduling staff at the time of booking.
All sonographers at Beth Israel Deaconess - Plymouth are board certified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in Abdomen as well as Obstetrics and Gynecology. Yearly continuing education is required to maintain board certification.
All outpatient Ultrasound procedures require an appointment and a written order. Appointments for all procedures are available on weekdays. In addition, certain examinations can be performed on weekday evenings and on Saturday.
The Diagnostic Imaging Department maintains imaging services in accordance with standards established by the American College of Radiology, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and the appropriate state and federal regulatory agencies.
There is a public information website founded by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Radiologic Society of North America (RSNA) that has excellent information regarding exams: www.radiologyinfo.org.