MRIs

MRIs made Simple

Many patients may wonder what an MRI is and is it safe. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique used to visualize detailed internal structures. They use powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to produce three-dimensional images of the body. MRI's provide good contrast between different soft tissues of the body that may not be detected as well through x-rays or CAT scans.

MRIs are the preferred diagnostic test for many orthopaedic related injuries such as ligament and tendon injuries, joint degeneration and bony pathology. MRI's are safe, painless and non-invasive. At POA, our specialists primarily use the GE ONI open extremity MRI. This allows our physicians to obtain full diagnostic results in an accurate and speedy manner for their patients.

Open Extremity MRI

At the Tinton Falls location our MRI facility is right down the hall in Suite 205. Our truly open MRI is quiet, quick, comfortable and convenient. Patients requiring an MRI of the hand, wrist, elbow, foot, ankle or knee benefit from a totally non-claustrophobic experience. Our Ortho-One MRI machine offers high quality images and eliminates the risk of repeat scans.

Professional Othropaedic Associates has ACR Accreditation

Professional Orthopaedic Associates has MRI accreditation as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). MRI is a noninvasive medical test that utilizes magnetic fields to produce anatomical images of internal body parts to help physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed.

Accreditation Frequently Asked Questions

What should I know about radiation safety?
Before your imaging procedure be sure to ask your physician the following questions:

• Why is the test needed?
• How will having the test improve my care?
• Are there alternatives that do not use radiation and deliver similar results?
• Is the facility accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR)?
• Are pediatric and adult tests delivered using the appropriate radiation doses?

Why should I have my imaging exam done at an accredited facility?
When you see the gold seals of accreditation prominently displayed in our imaging facility, you can be sure that you are in a facility that meets standards for imaging quality and safety. Look for the ACR Gold Seals of Accreditation.

To achieve the ACR Gold Standard of Accreditation, our facility's personnel qualifications, equipment requirements, quality assurance, and quality control procedures have gone through a rigorous review process and have met specific qualifications. It's important for patients to know that every aspect of the ACR accreditation process is overseen by board-certified, expert radiologists and medical physicists in advanced diagnostic imaging.

What does ACR accreditation mean?

• Our facility has voluntarily gone through a vigorous review process to ensure that we meet nationally-accepted standards of care.
• Our personnel are well qualified, through education and certification, to perform medical imaging, and interpreting your images.
• Our equipment is appropriate for the test or treatment you will receive, and our facility meets or exceeds quality assurance and safety guidelines.

What does the gold seal mean?
When you see the ACR gold seal, you can rest assured that your prescribed imaging test will be done at a facility that has met the highest level of imaging quality and radiation safety. The facility and its personnel have gone through a comprehensive review to earn accreditation status by the American College of Radiology (ACR), the largest and oldest imaging accrediting body in the U.S. and a professional organization of 34,000 physicians.