Children's diagnostic imaging in Southeast Georgia

Diagnostic tests and procedures can sometimes cause nervousness and stress in children. To help your child feel as comfortable as possible, Memorial Health’s Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah created and staffed our pediatric imaging suite with their needs in mind. Our outpatient diagnostic imaging suite offers a full range of procedures to pediatric patients.

To schedule an appointment at our pediatric diagnostic imaging suite, please call our central scheduling line at (912) 350-2766.

Pediatric medical imaging services

Our pediatric diagnostic imaging services include:

  • Computed tomography (CT) scanning
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with video capability for children to watch and listen to movies or music
  • X-ray

The pediatric imaging suite is equipped with the most advanced X-ray, CT and MRI technology available. We also use radiation protection to make sure the imaging process is as safe as possible for your child.

In addition to advanced imaging services, our children's hospital provides family-centered, compassionate care. For most exams, we encourage parents to stay in the exam room with their child to help relieve any anxiety they may have.

Pediatric sedation services

Some children must undergo imaging procedures that require them to remain perfectly still. To help with this, we offer pediatric sedation services administered by a team that includes:

  • Anesthesiologist
  • Child life specialist
  • Nurse anesthetist
  • Pediatric intensivist
  • Pediatric nurses
  • Pediatric respiratory therapist

Sedation services are available Monday through Friday for radiology procedures, hematology and oncology procedures, muscular injections and other invasive procedures. To schedule an appointment or speak to a pediatric sedation specialist, call (912) 350-7460.

Guidelines for pediatric sedation

Children should not eat or drink anything for six hours before sedation. A short-lasting, fast-acting sedative is delivered intravenously (through an IV). When the child is asleep, we complete the medical imaging procedure. When the procedure is over, the child can usually resume most normal daily activities within an hour.

Before a child is sedated, routine medicines can be taken as scheduled with a small sip of water. A nurse will go over medications with you and answer any questions that you may have one to two days before the child’s scheduled appointment.

If a child develops a cough, cold, fever, congestion, vomiting, wheezing or diarrhea two days before their scheduled procedure or test, contact our pediatric sedation team at (912) 350-7460.

What to expect after sedation

You should avoid letting your child do anything that may require coordination or a quick response after the procedure. Following the procedure, your child will be ready to return to school or daycare the next day. The following activities should be avoided:

  • Driving a car
  • Playing ball
  • Riding a bike, skateboard, ATV, etc.
  • Running
  • Swimming
  • Walking up or down stairs