McFarland Clinic

Radiology & Imaging Services

McFarland Clinic Imaging Services departments give patients across central Iowa access to some of the most advanced equipment and technology to ensure quality diagnostic images and interpretation.

Radiologists provide radiologic consultation for almost all imaging procedures performed in the Radiology departments.

The Radiology Team

Physicians

The radiology team is led by one or more radiologists. Radiologists are physicians that are responsible for interpreting the results of examinations, performing certain procedures, such as interventional radiology procedures or therapeutic procedures, and consulting with other physicians in other specialties.

Technologists

Radiology technologists are responsible for performing many of the various types of radiology examinations, including x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, mammograms, fluoroscopy, bone densitometry, and ultrasound procedures. Technologists receive formal training in various types of educational programs, lasting from two to four years.

Radiology technologists are certified or eligible for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.

Locations & Hours

Ames

1215 Duff Avenue Office

1215 Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010

515-239-4456

Location Details on 1215 Duff Avenue Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm
Saturday
(Diagnostic x-rays only)
8am-12pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

Family Medicine East Office

1018 Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010

515-663-8621

Location Details on Family Medicine East Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

North Ames Office

3815 Stange Road
Ames, IA 50010

515-956-4050

Location Details on North Ames Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

South Ames Office

3500 University Boulevard
Suite 101
Ames, IA 50010

515-239-3056

Location Details on South Ames Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

West Ames Office

3600 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014

515-663-4858

Location Details on West Ames Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

Carroll

Carroll Office

1214 S Grant Road
Carroll, IA 51401

712-792-1500

Location Details on Carroll Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

Iowa Falls

Iowa Falls Office

701 Washington Ave
Iowa Falls, IA 50126

641-648-2586

Location Details on Iowa Falls Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

Jefferson

Jefferson Office

106 West Washington Street
Suite 2
Jefferson, IA 50129

515-386-4192

Location Details on Jefferson Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

Marshalltown

Marshalltown Office

421 East Merle Hibbs Boulevard
Marshalltown, IA 50158

641-752-0654

Location Details on Marshalltown Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

Nevada

Nevada Office

230 South 6th Street
Nevada, IA 50201

515-382-5471

Location Details on Nevada Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

Story City

Story City Office

705 8th Street
Story City, IA 50248

515-733-5191

Location Details on Story City Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

Webster City

Webster City Office

510 Bank Street
Webster City, IA 50595

515-832-6700

Location Details on Webster City Office

Hours

DayTime
Monday8am-5pm
Tuesday8am-5pm
Wednesday8am-5pm
Thursday8am-5pm
Friday8am-5pm

> Hours may vary by service. See hours by service.

Diagnostic Imaging Services by Locations and Hours

McFarland Clinic offers diagnostic imaging procedures at several clinic locations throughout central Iowa. Hours of operation vary by location and test. Please call to verify.

Bone Density Testing (DEXA)

Locations & Hours for Bone Density Testing (DEXA)

CT Scan

Locations & Hours for CT Scan

Diagnostic X-Ray

Locations & Hours for Diagnostic X-Ray

Fluoroscopy

Locations & Hours for Fluoroscopy

Mammography

Information on Mammography

More Information on Mammography

Locations & Hours for Mammography

MRI

Locations & Hours for MRI

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Information on Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

More Information on Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

Locations & Hours for Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

PET/CT

Locations & Hours for PET/CT

Ultrasound

Locations & Hours for Ultrasound

Patient Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Patient Shielding FAQ

Does McFarland Clinic supply a lead shield for x-rays?

Lead shields (lead aprons and gonad shields) are no longer used on patients for x-ray imaging exams at McFarland Clinic.

Why has lead shielding been discontinued?

Decades of research have shown that the radiation levels used in x-ray exams are low and the risk of harm is very small. These studies conclude that patient lead shields provide no added benefit to patient safety.

Will multiple x-ray exams without shielding increase my risk of infertility or birth defects?

No, receiving multiple x-rays without a lead shield will not increase the risk of infertility or birth defects.

What if I am pregnant?

Pregnant patients will not wear a lead shield during an x-ray exam. The use of a lead shield over a patient’s belly can reduce the quality of the exam, and in some cases, the use of a shield can cause higher doses of radiation to be used.

Why are technologists still wearing lead shields during exams?

Technologists continue to wear a lead shield to protect themselves from receiving unnecessary radiation exposure that provides no medical benefit to them.

Will multiple exams of the reproductive organs without shielding affect my or my child’s fertility?

No. The amount of radiation required to cause infertility is more than 100 times the dose from a medical imaging exam.

If I’m in the room with my child, why do I have to wear a lead shield and my child doesn’t?

Our goal is to eliminate any unnecessary radiation exposure to family members. Wearing a lead shield helps ensure your safety from unnecessary radiation exposure that does not provide you any medical benefit.

Can I still use a shield if I request one?

Lead shields are available for patients to use upon request, as long as it does not interfere with the exam.

Additional Resources

Bone Density Testing (DEXA)
What is Bone Density Testing?

Bone Density Testing (DEXA) is the best diagnostic tool to support the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis.

Who should have bone density testing?
  • All women over age 65
  • Any postmenopausal women under 65 years with one or more risk factors for osteoporosis (e.g., being thin, being a smoker, having a family history of fractures, using corticosteroids for longer than three months, or any serious high-risk condition, such as hyperthyroidism or malabsorption)
  • Any older man or woman who suffers a fracture

Please check with your insurance company regarding coverage.

What to expect when having a DEXA?
  • You will be asked a series of questions related to your health and habits
  • Weight and height will be taken
  • You will then be asked to lie on your back on the table
  • The technologist will input your health history into the computer
  • The technologist will position you and then the scan arm of the machine will pass over your body acquiring the images needed to assess your bone health
  • A report is then sent to your referring physician
CT Scan
What is a CT Scan?

Patient care and diagnosis have significantly improved with the growing use of computed tomography (CT). CT scanning blends the traditional technology of X-rays with the latest computer innovations. Using a series of X-ray beams, the CT scanner creates cross-sectional images. A computer reconstructs these “slices” to produce the 3-D image. The result is a picture with greater detail than traditional X-rays.

How do I prepare for a CT Scan?

Speak with your doctor or the radiology department about preparing for the CT exam.

Will contrast media be used for my CT Scan?

Your doctor is interested in seeing specific body areas. Therefore, in some CT exams, a contrast media is used to make these areas appear more visible.

You may feel a slight warming sensation when the contrast medium is administered with a small IV. Consult with your physician prior to your CT exam if you have an allergic reaction to iodine which is used in the contrast medium.

During the CT Scan

A CT exam is a quick, painless procedure. The scanner will acquire the images in just a few seconds while you are comfortably lying on the patient table. Exam times will vary.

  • You may be asked to wear a gown for image clarity.
  • You may be asked to remove jewelry and other metallic items for image clarity.
  • Your exam table will slowly move into a scanning position within the CT scanner’s doughnut-shaped opening.
  • During the few seconds, the scanner captures the image, you will be asked to remain still and hold your breath.
After the Exam

After the exam, all normal activities may be resumed, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. The radiologist will then interpret your films and report the findings to your physician. Your doctor will discuss these results with you and explain what they mean in relation to your health. All normal activities may be resumed. If you are taking metformin, please check with your doctor.

MRI
What is a MRI?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the bones, organs and tissues in your body.

Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets that are open on both ends. When you lie inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field temporarily realigns water molecules in your body. Radio waves cause these aligned atoms to produce faint signals, which are used to create cross-sectional MRI images — like slices in a loaf of bread. The MRI machine can also produce 3D images that can be viewed from different angles.

Patient safety tips prior to the procedure

Because of the strong magnetic field used during the exam, certain conditions may prevent you from having a MRI procedure. When scheduling your appointment and prior to your exam, please alert our staff and technologist to the following conditions that may apply to you. The Radiology staff will then let you know whether you can have the MRI exam and whether the exam needs to be modified for your particular condition.

  • Pacemaker
  • Pregnancy
  • Claustrophobia
  • History of kidney problems
  • Neurostimulators (TENS-unit)
  • Implanted drug infusion device (i.e., insulin pump)
  • Injury of metal fragments to your eye
  • Artificial heart valves
  • Aneurysm clips
  • Cochlear implants
  • Metallic implants and prosthesis
  • Vascular stent or stent graft
  • Shrapnel or bullet wounds
  • Dorsal column stimulators
  • Allergy to iodine, or gadolinium
  • Other conditions you believe to be relevant

Other Tips

  • Please leave your valuables at home if possible. A locker with a key will be provided for you to lock your belongings up prior to the exam.
  • If you experience anxiety related to claustrophobia, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication for you to take with you for your MRI appointment. If you do take an oral medication, you will be required to have a driver with you at your appointment.
What can I expect before my MRI?

There is little preparation for an MRI exam. Take your daily medications as you normally would, unless instructed otherwise. There are few dietary restrictions for an MRI. For those exams, you will be notified of the requirements by the clinic staff.

  • Please arrive 15- 30 minutes prior to your exam and check in with the business desk and radiology receptionist. You will need to complete the MRI screening form.
  • To eliminate possible MR safety issues, you will be asked to change into a scrub top and bottom that will be provided. A locker will be supplied to secure your belongings.
  • A technologist will verify your identification and the requested exam. Your screening form will be reviewed by the technologist in consultation with the radiologist if indicated. If MRI contrast is indicated for the exam, an IV catheter will be inserted in your arm by a technologist.
What should I expect during my MRI?

The MRI machine looks like a long tube that is open on both ends. You lie down on a movable table that slides into the opening of the tube. A technologist monitors you from another room. You can talk with the person by microphone and have an alarm button to squeeze if you need anything immediately.

The MRI machine creates a strong magnetic field around you, and radio waves are directed at your body. The procedure is virtually painless. You don't feel the magnetic field or radio waves, and there are no moving parts around you.

During the MRI scan, the internal part of the magnet produces repetitive tapping, thumping and other noises. You will be given earplugs and/or have music playing to help block the noise during your exam.

In some cases, a contrast material, typically gadolinium, will be injected through an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your hand or arm. The contrast material enhances certain details. Gadolinium rarely causes allergic reactions.

An MRI can last anywhere from 15 minutes to more than an hour for your exam. You must hold still because movement can blur the resulting images.

Ultrasound
What is an ultrasound?

Ultrasound scanning uses high-frequency sound waves to capture images of structures inside the body. Ultrasound is also used to look at blood flow within the vessels. Depending on which type of ultrasound you have, different preparation is required.

Video Resources

Jackie's Journey: Sonocine AWBUS

Jackie's mammogram was clear, but since she had dense breasts, doctors ordered an additional test. See how this test changed her life.

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