Radiology tests at Home Facility

Doc On Alert understand the challenges that senior citizens face in terms of mobility. With that in mind, we have begun to offer services that combine customer focus with advanced technology.

 

Starting with Lusaka, Doc On Alert provides X-ray facility at home.

X-Ray Facility

DIGITAL X-RAY

At Doc On Alert, we understand the challenges that senior citizens face in terms of mobility. With that in mind, we have begun to offer services that combine customer focus with advanced technology.

Starting with Lusaka, Doc On Alert provides X-ray facility at home.

This is a convenient, hassle-free service with a portable X-ray machine that is operated by well-qualified medical assistants. This enables basic bone diagnoses in the comfort of your home.

Advantages of a Digital X-ray:

  • Less exposure to radiations as compared to traditional X-ray
  • Digital X-rays are environment-friendly as they don’t require developing
  • They can be viewed on a computer monitor within seconds of taking the image
  • They can be enhanced and enlarged for better diagnostics
  • They can be sent to other providers in an instant via email
  • They can be placed in your electronic patient file for immediate retrieval
List of X-rays done at Doc On Alert:

  • ABDOMEN
  • ADENOIDS
  • CHEST
  • EXTREMITIES
  • JOINTS
  • KUB
  • PNS
  • SPINE AP/LATERAL
  • HSG
How to prepare for a Digital X-ray?

  • Wear minimal jewellery as it will have to be removed during X-ray screening (metal and certain clothing can obscure the images)
  • Carry previous X-ray images and reports, if any
  • Overnight fasting and clean bowels required for lumbar spine X-ray to get a clear image

SONOGRAPHY

 

Sonography is an ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used to visualise certain internal body organs as well as tendons, muscles, joints and blood vessels. The most common use of USG is to detect pregnancy or aid in the detection of abnormalities and conditions related to pregnancy. Ultrasounds are usually combined with other tests such as dual marker and triple marker tests in order to confirm a diagnosis. USG is also performed for diagnosing different disorders associated with the kidneys, the urinary bladder and the abdomen.

At Doc On Alert, we offer a number of USG tests:

  • ANOMALY SCAN
  • NUCHAL
  • OBSTETRIC
  • FOLLICULAR STUDY
  • GRAVID UTERUS
  • KUB (KIDNEY, URINARY BLADDER)
  • KUB + PELVIS
  • PELVIS
  • SMALL PARTS
  • UPPER ABDOMEN
  • WHOLE ABDOMEN (ABDOMEN + PELVIS)
How to prepare for an USG?

  • Instructions for preparation will be shared at the time of the appointment, depending on the test prescribed
  • Carry your doctor’s prescription with you on the day of the test
  • It is also advisable to bring prior USG test reports, if any, on the day of the test

COLOUR DOPPLER

A Doppler Ultrasound, also called a Colour Doppler Test is a non-invasive test that can be used to estimate the blood flow through blood vessels. It helps doctors evaluate blood flow through major arteries and veins such as those of the arms, legs and neck. It can show blocked or reduced flow of blood through narrowed areas in the major arteries of the neck that could cause a stroke. It also can reveal blood clots in leg veins (deep vein thrombosis or DVT) that could break loose and block blood flow to the lungs (pulmonary embolism). During pregnancy, Doppler Ultrasound may be used to look at blood flow in an unborn baby in order to check the health of the foetus.

List of Common Colour Doppler Test procedures:
  • ABDOMINAL
  • CAROTID
  • GRAVID UTERUS
  • RENAL
  • SINGLE LIMB DOPPLER (ARTERIAL AND VENOUS)
  • DUAL LIMB DOPPLER (ARTERIAL AND VENOUS)
How to prepare for a Colour Doppler Test
  • Generally, no prior preparation is required
  • Carry all previous reports if you have undergone the procedure earlier
  • Carry your doctor’s prescription at the time of the test

MAMMOGRAPHY

Mammography is a special type of X-ray imaging designed specifically to visualise the abnormalities in the breasts. Mammography plays a very important role in the early detection of breast cancer. It can show changes in the breast even before the woman or her physician can feel them. Successful treatment of breast cancer depends on early diagnosis.

At Doc On Alert, we not only screen for breast abnormalities, but also confirm them by diagnostic mammography using additional imaging tests such as ultrasound. In addition, ultrasound guided FNAC or biopsy can be performed at our centre by taking a prior appointment.

 
How to prepare for a Mammography?

 

  • Do not use any talcum powder, perfume or deodorant prior to the test
  • Avoid wearing any metallic items or jewellery for the test
  • Bring your previous mammography images and reports with you on the day of the test
  • Schedule the test for a time when your breasts are least likely to be tender

If you haven’t gone through menopause, that’s usually during the week after your menstrual period.

 

 

BONE MINERAL DENSITY (BMD)

Bone Mineral Density is also known as:
  • BMD TEST
  • BONE DENSITY TEST
  • BONE DENSITOMETRY
  • DEXA SCAN
  • DXA
  • DUAL-ENERGY X-RAY ABSORPTIOMETRY
What is a Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Test?

A Bone Mineral Density (BMD) test uses X-rays to measure how much calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a bone segment. The bones that are most commonly tested are in the spine, hip and forearm. The higher the bone mineral content, the denser the bones are. Denser bones are stronger and are less likely to break. The prevalence of osteoporosis (a disease that causes bones to become more fragile and brittle) in Indian women aged 30-60 years is as high as 29%. Although osteoporosis is more common in older women, men can also develop the condition.

A BMD test at Doc On Alert helps identify the decrease in bone density in order to determine the risk of fracture, and/or monitor osteoporosis.

BMD test results are estimated on the basis of:

T Score

 

  • The patient’s Bone Mineral Density as compared to the peak bone mass in a normal young adult
  • A score of 0 means BMD = normal of a healthy young adult
  • The diagnosis of osteoporosis or low bone mass is based on the T-score
Z-SCORE

 

  • The patient’s Bone Mineral Density as compared to the peak bone mass in an age-sex matched adults
  • Z-SCORE is useful for determining whether an underlying disease or condition is causing bone loss
How to prepare for a BMD Test?
  • Avoid calcium supplements and multivitamins 24-48 hours prior to the test
  • Avoid wearing clothes with metal buttons or buckles
  • You may also be required to remove any jewellery that could interfere with the test