MRI at First Hill

Swedish First Hill MRI is located on the 4th floor of the East Tower. From the main lobby take the east elevators to the 4th floor. Check in at the reception desk by the window 15 minutes prior to the appointment time, where you will be registered and given further instructions. Regular business hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. The MRI department is open 24 hours a day for emergency department exams.

Our contact information

Phone: 206-215-6601
Scheduling (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.)

Phone: 206-386-3990 option #3; Scheduling fax: 206-215-3035

Medical Imaging Records Center (Monday-Friday 6 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Phone: 206-320-2201

Swedish First Hill MRI is accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) and our technologists are all licensed in MRI through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Our radiologists are board-certified and specialize in neurology, musculoskeletal, abdominal, and pediatric imaging.

What to expect before your exam at Swedish First Hill MRI:

  • There is usually very little preparation for a MRI exam. Take your daily medications as you normally would, unless instructed otherwise. For those exams with dietary restrictions, you will be notified of the requirements when scheduling
  • You will be asked to arrive 15-30 minutes prior to your exam time. You will be notified of your arrival time when scheduling.
  • You will be asked to remove your clothing and change into a hospital gown. You should not wear jewelry, hair clips or other metal objects. A locker will be available to secure your belongings.
  • If you have any type of electronic implant, please bring the device card or other documents with the device information with you, as these devices must be documented to be sure they are safe before you can go into the MRI room.

What to expect the day of your exam:

  • You will be registered and asked to fill out the MRI screening form. You can print this and fill it out ahead of time to bring with you.
  • A health care professional will explain the test and answer any questions you may have.
  • You will be required to lie still during the actual scanning, as MRI is extremely sensitive to motion and any movement will cause the images to be blurry, resulting in repeated scanning and longer time in the magnet. Depending on the body part that is being examined, you may be instructed to hold your breath for up to 30 seconds at a time.
  • The magnet is permanently open on both ends. It is well lit and there is a fan for patient comfort. The part of the body being scanned will be placed in the middle of the magnet. There is a two-way intercom system for communication between patient and technologist.
  • During the actual imaging, you will hear a loud intermittent banging noise. You will be provided with earplugs or headphones to minimize the noise during the procedure.
  • If you are claustrophobic, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication for ou to take for your MRI appointment. If this is the case, be sure you have a driver with you.
  • The technologist will also provide you with an alarm button to alert the technologist of any discomfort you may experience at any point during the MRI exam.
Our goal is to provide excellent service and care for our patients. If you have questions, comments or suggestions please feel free to contact management directly:

Medical Imaging Manager - Dave Wilson, BS, RT (R) (CT) (ARRT),

206-215-3254 or dave.wilson@swedish.org

What to expect after your exam

  • If contrast is given, the IV is removed from the arm before you go home.
  • If you received sedation, someone must drive you home.
  • You may return to your normal routine.

Exam Results

A board certified radiologist will interpret the images and create a report for your doctor. Reports are sent to your doctor within 8-24 hours. Please contact your doctor for results.

Following are some common MRI exams performed at Swedish First Hill Campus:

These and other MRI exams may also be available at other Swedish locations: Ballard, Cherry Hill, Edmonds, Issaquah, Mill Creek and Redmond