The short version
- We perform diagnostic ultrasound only: abdominal, pelvic, obstetrical, kidney and bladder, thyroid and neck, breast, scrotal, musculoskeletal, soft tissue and hernia. No X-ray, no vascular or Doppler studies, no echocardiography.
- Fax requisitions to +1 (289) 731-2606. Patients then book by calling +1 (289) 481-0263 or through our website.
- The single most useful thing on a requisition is the clinical question, with laterality and duration. "Right shoulder pain, six weeks, suspected rotator cuff tear" beats "shoulder" every time.
- Mark urgent studies clearly and call us. Faxed urgency is easy to miss in a busy queue; a phone call is not.
- Reports are interpreted by a qualified physician and faxed to the ordering provider. Images are available on request.
Most of what makes an ultrasound useful is decided before the patient arrives. A clear requisition tells the sonographer where to look and what question to answer, and it tells the reporting physician what you already suspect. This guide is our attempt to make referring to us as frictionless as possible for the practices we work with across Oshawa, Whitby, Courtice, Bowmanville, Ajax and Pickering.
If you are a patient reading this, welcome. It will help you understand what your provider is doing on your behalf. Our patient guide to ultrasound appointments is written for you.
What we perform, and what we do not
Oshawa Advance Imaging is an ultrasound facility. We perform the following exams for adult and, where appropriate, pediatric patients on a physician, nurse practitioner or midwife requisition:
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Exam | Common indications | Patient preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominal, complete or limited | RUQ pain, gallstones, abnormal LFTs, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, pancreatic assessment | Fasting for several hours |
| Kidney and bladder | Haematuria, flank pain, stones, retention, post void residual, CKD follow up | Full bladder |
| Pelvic, transabdominal and transvaginal | Abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, fibroids, adnexal mass, endometrial assessment, IUD position | Full bladder; signed consent for transvaginal |
| Pelvic, male, including transrectal | Prostate assessment on request; bladder and lower tract | Full bladder; signed consent for transrectal |
| Obstetrical | Dating, viability, nuchal translucency (11w2d to 13w6d), 18 to 20 week anatomy, growth, position, placenta, fluid | Full bladder for early scans |
| Thyroid and neck | Nodules, goitre, neck lump, lymphadenopathy, follow up of known nodules | None |
| Breast | Palpable lump, focal pain, dense tissue follow up, correlation with mammography | None; mark the site |
| Scrotal | Pain, swelling, mass, hydrocele, follow up | None |
| Musculoskeletal | Rotator cuff, tendinopathy, ligament injury, joint effusion, bursitis, carpal tunnel, plantar fascia, Baker's cyst | None; loose clothing |
| Soft tissue, lumps and hernia | Palpable lump, lipoma versus cyst, abscess, inguinal or ventral hernia | None; mark the site |
Not available at our facility: vascular and Doppler studies of any kind, including DVT and carotid assessments, echocardiography, X-ray, mammography, bone densitometry, CT and MRI. Our requisition form lists only the exams we perform, which is the simplest way to avoid a patient being booked for a study we cannot do.
What a useful requisition includes
Our form covers the essentials, but the same principles apply if you use your own. The items below, in rough order of how often they are missing:
- The clinical question
What you want the study to answer. "Rule out gallstones" or "assess for full thickness rotator cuff tear" lets the sonographer tailor the protocol and the reporting physician address your concern directly.
- Laterality and site
Right or left, and for lumps and soft tissue, exactly where. A skin mark at the time of your assessment, or a description like "2 cm nodule left lateral neck at level of thyroid cartilage," saves a hunt.
- Duration and relevant history
How long, what has been tried, prior imaging and where it was done, relevant labs, prior surgery in the region, and known diagnoses such as pregnancy, malignancy or anticoagulation.
- Dates for obstetrical scans
LMP or the established due date, gestational age at the time of ordering, and whether the nuchal translucency scan is part of enhanced first trimester screening so we can book inside the window.
- Urgency
Routine or urgent, and for urgent, a reason. See below.
- Your details
Name, billing number, fax number for the report, and a phone number for questions. If a second provider should be copied, list them.
Two frequent sources of rebooking. First, a requisition that asks for "abdomen and pelvis" without stating whether the pelvic component is transabdominal only; if transvaginal imaging is needed, consent must be signed. Second, a musculoskeletal request that names a region without a suspected structure; "knee" could mean a Baker's cyst, a quadriceps tendon or an effusion, and each is scanned differently.
Sending the requisition
Fax to +1 (289) 731-2606. Your patient then calls +1 (289) 481-0263 or requests an appointment through our website, and we match the request to your fax. Alternatively, give the patient the requisition to bring in, or have your office call us to book on their behalf. Either route works; the fax simply means the patient cannot lose it.
When booking we confirm the exam, give the patient their preparation instructions, and let them know roughly how long the visit will take. If something on the requisition is unclear, we call your office before the appointment rather than guessing on the day.
Urgent and time sensitive studies
Mark urgent studies clearly on the requisition, and please call us as well. A fax sits in a queue; a phone call lets us find the earliest available time and flag the study so the report is prioritized. Common urgent scenarios include suspected ectopic pregnancy or early pregnancy bleeding, acute scrotal pain, suspected abscess, and new palpable masses with concerning features.
Two categories are time sensitive without being urgent. Nuchal translucency scans have a hard window of 11 weeks 2 days to 13 weeks 6 days, so patients need to book promptly once the requisition is issued. Post void residual measurements and some pelvic studies are best timed to the patient's cycle or symptoms; note the preferred timing on the requisition if it matters.
For anything that belongs in an emergency department, such as suspected torsion or a haemodynamically unstable patient, please send the patient there. We are an outpatient facility.
Preparation we give your patient
We confirm preparation at booking and again on the day, so your office does not need to. The main patterns: fasting for abdominal studies, a full bladder for pelvic, kidney and bladder, and early obstetrical exams, and no preparation for thyroid, breast, scrotal, musculoskeletal and soft tissue studies. Full instructions by exam are on our patient preparation page, which you are welcome to point patients to.
If a patient arrives unprepared, we tell them honestly whether the study can still answer your question or whether rebooking will serve you better. We would rather rebook than send you a limited study without saying so.
Consent and chaperones
Transvaginal and transrectal examinations require signed consent. The form is on our website and the patient can complete it in advance or at reception. A chaperone is available on request for any intimate examination, and patients are welcome to bring a support person. If a patient needs an interpreter or accessibility support, a note on the requisition helps us plan the room and the time.
How the report comes back
Images are interpreted by a qualified physician and a written report is faxed to the ordering provider at the number on the requisition. Urgent studies are prioritized. If you need the images as well as the report, note it on the requisition or contact our office, and they can be provided to you. If a report has not arrived when you expect it, call us; the most common reason is a fax number that was hard to read.
Our sonographers do not discuss findings with patients, for the reasons every imaging facility shares: an image out of clinical context can alarm or falsely reassure. We tell patients to book a follow up with you to review the report, and our patient guides say the same.
Patients without a family doctor
A significant share of Durham Region residents are unattached. If a patient presents at a walk-in clinic and needs imaging, a requisition from the walk-in physician or nurse practitioner is sufficient, and the report goes to that provider. Simcoe Medical Clinic, a family and walk-in practice in the same building, is accepting new patients and can assess and refer if needed. We work closely with them, and a patient who is seen there can often have their scan booked without leaving the building.
Contact and hours
- Fax requisitions: +1 (289) 731-2606
- Phone, bookings and urgent studies: +1 (289) 481-0263
- Email: info@oshawaadvanceimaging.ca (no patient information by email, please)
- Address: 115 Simcoe St S, 3rd Floor, Oshawa, ON L1H 4G7
- Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Requisition pads and referral information can be requested for your office; see our referring physicians page or call us. We are glad to visit practices in Durham Region to walk through the process in person.
Common questions
Do you accept requisitions from nurse practitioners and midwives?
Yes. Requisitions from physicians, nurse practitioners and midwives are accepted for insured diagnostic ultrasound in Ontario. Please include your billing number and a fax number for the report.
Can I use my own requisition form?
Yes. Any legible requisition that identifies the patient, the exam, the clinical indication and the ordering provider is fine. Our own form lists the exams we perform, which avoids requests for studies we do not offer, and it can be downloaded from our website.
Do you perform vascular or Doppler studies?
No. We do not offer vascular, arterial or venous Doppler, DVT studies, or echocardiography. If a Doppler assessment is required, please refer to a facility that provides it.
Do you perform X-ray, mammography or bone density?
No. Oshawa Advance Imaging is an ultrasound only facility. Our requisition form reflects the exams available.
How does a patient book once I have faxed the requisition?
The patient calls us at +1 (289) 481-0263 or requests an appointment through our website. We match the request to the faxed requisition, confirm the exam and preparation, and book them. If you prefer, your office can call to book on the patient's behalf.
Can a patient be seen the same day?
Sometimes, depending on the schedule and the exam. For urgent studies, please call us directly rather than relying on the fax alone, so we can find the earliest time.
How do I get images as well as the report?
Note it on the requisition or contact our office. Images can be provided to the referring provider on request.
This article is general information only and does not replace medical advice. Please speak with your physician or healthcare provider about your own health concerns. Imaging results are interpreted by qualified professionals and sent to your referring physician.