Need an ultrasound, scan, or just want to see what your insidey parts look like?
Citiscan is conveniently located in the heart of the Brisbane CBD. To get to CityScan, head in to the T&G building off the Mall and take a lift up to level 2. When you depart the lift, veer left and follow the signs on your left around a corner heading right (don't go in the ambulance entry) and head in at the auto sensored glass doors on the left.
Ambience ****
This is one of the schlickest waiting rooms I've ever sat in. Amazingly done interior, considering the age of the building. Take a few moments to let it soak in; glossy white surfaces against dark blue décor, black and white chairs (which are starting to look a little worn) at round tables topped with recent magazines, a widescreen wall mounted TV (showing bleh, daytime television), a water cooler, even starburst lollies are on the counter for you to chew laboriously while you wait.
The examination rooms are spacey, with monitors where you can (if you're in a position to do so) see whatever it is the scan shows. The rooms are dimly lit and some have adjoining bathrooms, if not, then small dressing rooms. It can be a bit mazey getting from whichever examination room you're in back to the reception area, but the staff are happy to show you the way out if you're easily confused like me.
Services on offer *****
If it's your first visit here, you'll need to fill out a new patient form; plenty of pens at the counter, and don't forget your Medicare card! CityScan offers plenty of radiology services, of which I've had the... gulp... pleasure... of experiencing a pelvic ultrasound (yes, the not fun kind), and an echo-cardiogram (not the echo stress test, which I don't think they do - better to check the website).
Service ****
Make sure you book; I've seen people walk in expecting to get a scan to be told there'd be a lengthy wait, and even I've had to wait ~15 minutes or so at times. The receptionist staff seem a bit terse toward patients who complain of the waiting times or who have trouble understanding (slow or non-English speaking backgrounds), but are generally friendly.
Combine all of my visits and I've shown off every inch of my lady parts to one sonographer or another. I can say with ease that I've come away feeling fine each time. Of course you're going to be nervous about wearing a robe with nothing underneath, and if they can help it they'll let you keep as much of your clothes on as possible. Keeping in mind this is not a time to be timid about your body, think about the appropriate clothes that you might be able to get away with depending on which scan you're getting done.
Until the invasive part of the pelvic ultrasound, I was welcome to keep my pants on, and when it came time to whip them off, I had a separate bathroom to go to with a robe to get changed. I was allowed to keep my loose fitting top on the whole time.
The echocardiogram was a different matter, and being that I was being tended by a guy, I was even more nervous. I don't know how they do it, but I've never met a male in any medical field I couldn't strip to one degree or another in front of. He was a veteran at chatting to me the whole time I lay there topless to help keep the edge off my nervousness, and as gentle as anyone should be when handling someone else's chest area.
Overall
If you've ever had cardiology or radiology scans done, you know they're not cheap. Some are covered by Medicare, some aren't. Make sure you check it out before you book (both times I went, they quoted the out of pocket expense to me on the phone) and make sure you have the cash (or card) on you to pay for the scan. I think they have payment plans, but I haven't had to use one, so if you don't have ~$200 on you, best to ask first.
You'll get the hard copy of your scans fairly quickly while you wait, and they'll forward them on electronically to your doctor. I have to admit it was pretty fun to watch my echocardiogram again at home. read more
