What to Expect at Your Ultrasound Appointment in Oshawa

An ultrasound is one of the most common diagnostic tests ordered in Ontario, and for good reason. It uses high frequency sound waves rather than radiation, it produces images in real time, and it can look at soft tissue that an X-ray simply cannot see.

If your doctor has just handed you a requisition and told you to book a scan, this guide walks through what actually happens next. We wrote it for patients across Oshawa, Whitby, Courtice, Bowmanville, Ajax, Pickering and Clarington who are visiting our clinic at 115 Simcoe Street South. The general steps apply anywhere in Ontario, but the specifics below are ours.

Before you book, you need a requisition

In Ontario, diagnostic ultrasound is an insured service, which means the Ontario Health Insurance Plan covers the exam when a licensed physician or nurse practitioner has determined it is medically necessary. That determination is documented on a requisition, sometimes called a referral form. Without one, we cannot perform an insured scan.

Your requisition is not just paperwork. It tells the sonographer which body part to examine, what your physician is concerned about, and what clinical question the images need to answer. A requisition that says "right shoulder pain, six weeks, suspected rotator cuff tear" produces a far more useful study than one that says "shoulder."

If your doctor faxed the requisition to us directly, you do not need to bring a paper copy, though it never hurts. If they handed it to you, keep it somewhere safe and bring it on the day. You can also download our requisition form and take it to your appointment with your physician.

Preparing for your specific exam

This is where most appointments go wrong. Arriving without the right preparation can mean images that are difficult to interpret, and in some cases it means rebooking. Bowel gas obscures the organs in the upper abdomen, which is why fasting matters. A full bladder acts as an acoustic window for pelvic imaging, which is why we ask you to drink water and hold it.

Preparation instructions are confirmed with you when you book, because they vary by exam and by clinical situation. The table below covers the most common patterns.

Full instructions for every exam we offer are on our patient preparation page.

What to bring on the day

• Your valid Ontario health card. An expired card can delay or prevent an insured exam.
• Your requisition, if you were given a paper copy.
• Any consent form that applies. Transvaginal and transrectal exams require a signed consent, which you can download in advance.
• A list of medications, if your physician asked you to bring one.
• Comfortable, loose clothing. Two piece outfits are easier than dresses for most exams.

Please leave valuables at home. Arrive a few minutes early so registration does not eat into your appointment time, and let us know when you book if you need an interpreter, accessibility support, or a chaperone in the room.

Your visit, step by step

1. Registration

   You present your health card and requisition at reception. We confirm your details, the exam ordered, and the physician who will receive the report.

2. Preparation check

   We confirm you followed the preparation instructions. If something was missed, we will tell you honestly whether the scan can still go ahead or whether rebooking will give your doctor a better answer.

3. Into the exam room

   You will be shown to a private room and asked to expose only the area being scanned. A gown or drape is provided. The lights are usually dimmed so the sonographer can see the screen clearly.

4. The scan itself

   Warm gel is applied to the skin, and the sonographer moves a handheld probe over the area. The gel removes the air between the probe and your skin so the sound waves can travel. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly, roll onto your side, or move a joint. Tell the sonographer if anything is uncomfortable.

5. Image review

   The sonographer captures a defined set of images and measurements for the exam type. There may be a short pause while they check the study is complete before you get dressed.

6. You are done

   The gel wipes off easily. There is no recovery time and no restriction on driving, eating, or returning to work.

How long it takes

Most ultrasound exams run between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on the type of scan and how many areas are being examined. A focused soft tissue scan of a single lump is quick. A complete abdominal study, an obstetrical morphology scan, or a multi joint musculoskeletal exam takes longer. We will give you an estimate when you book so you can plan your day, and we build in enough time that you are not rushed.

Does an ultrasound hurt, and is it safe?

Ultrasound uses sound waves, not ionising radiation, which is one reason it is the first choice for imaging in pregnancy and for repeated follow up scans. There are no injections and no dye for a standard diagnostic ultrasound.

Most patients describe the experience as painless. The gel is warmed, and the probe presses on the skin with light to moderate pressure. There are two common exceptions. If the area being scanned is already tender, such as an inflamed gallbladder or an injured tendon, pressure over that spot can be briefly uncomfortable. And a full bladder for a pelvic scan is, by design, an uncomfortable twenty minutes. Both pass quickly, and you are always free to ask the sonographer to pause.

Why we cannot tell you the results

This is the question we are asked most, and the answer is the same at every imaging clinic in Ontario. Sonographers acquire the images. A qualified physician interprets them and issues the formal report.

Findings are not discussed by clinic staff, and that is not us being unhelpful. An image seen out of context, without your history, your bloodwork, and your physician's clinical judgement, can frighten you unnecessarily or falsely reassure you.

Your report goes to the physician named on your requisition. Book a follow up with them to review it. If your scan was ordered urgently, tell us at reception, because urgent studies are flagged accordingly.

What it costs

When you have a valid Ontario health card and a requisition confirming the exam is medically necessary, an insured diagnostic ultrasound is covered. There is no fee to you for the scan itself. If you do not have provincial coverage, or if you are requesting something that falls outside insured services, please call us before your appointment so we can explain your options clearly. We do not believe in surprises at the front desk.

Finding us

We are at 115 Simcoe Street South, 3rd Floor, Oshawa, ON L1H 4G7, in the heart of downtown. We are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, which makes us a practical option if you cannot take time off during the week. Parking is available nearby, and our team can point you to the most convenient option on the day. Get directions.

Common questions