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Patient Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions about our diagnostic imaging services, what to expect and how to preparefor your appointment.

GENERAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING

Services, referrals, safety and what to expect.

We provide outpatient diagnostic imaging across 18 clinics in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia.

  • Ultrasound — available at all 18 clinics
  • Digital X-ray — Calgary location only
  • Pain management injections — Calgary location only

If you need X-ray or pain management, please book at our Calgary clinic at 8500 Blackfoot Trail SE.

Yes. A valid requisition from a physician, nurse practitioner, or other authorized healthcare provider is required for all diagnostic imaging exams. This is consistent with provincial guidelines across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia, and ensures the right test is ordered for your clinical needs. If you don’t have a requisition yet, please contact your healthcare provider before booking.

Medically necessary ultrasound and X-ray exams ordered by a physician are covered under:

  • Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) for Alberta residents
  • Saskatchewan Health for Saskatchewan residents
  • Medical Services Insurance (MSI) for Nova Scotia residents

Please bring your valid provincial health card and a piece of government-issued photo ID. Pain management injections are billed under provincial fee schedules where applicable.

Yes. Our imaging services follow established Canadian and international safety standards.

  • Ultrasound uses sound waves and does not involve ionizing radiation. It is regulated under Health Canada’s Guidelines for the Safe Use of Diagnostic Ultrasound (Safety Code 23).
  • Digital X-ray uses low-dose modern equipment, and our protocols follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) recommended by the Canadian Association of Radiologists and the CDC.
  • Pain management injections are performed under image guidance by qualified specialists to ensure precision.
  • X-ray: approximately 5–15 minutes
  • Ultrasound: approximately 20–45 minutes
  • Pain management procedures: approximately 30–60 minutes

We recommend arriving 10–15 minutes before your scheduled time to complete check-in.

Your imaging report is interpreted by a radiologist and securely sent to your referring physician, typically within 24–48 hours. Urgent findings are escalated promptly. For your imaging results, please follow up directly with the physician who ordered the exam. If you need a copy of your records, contact the clinic where the exam was performed.

Your imaging report is interpreted by a radiologist and securely sent to your referring physician, typically within 24–48 hours. Urgent findings are escalated promptly. For your imaging results, please follow up directly with the physician who ordered the exam. If you need a copy of your records, contact the clinic where the exam was performed.

ULTRASOUND

Available at all 18 Wosler clinics.

Ultrasound (also called sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of internal organs, soft tissues, blood vessels, and developing pregnancies. The procedure is non-invasive and does not use ionizing radiation. A trained sonographer applies a water-based gel to the area being examined and moves a small handheld probe (transducer) over the skin to capture the images.

Preparation depends on the type of exam:

  • Abdominal ultrasound: fasting (no food or drink) for 6–8 hours beforehand may be required
  • Pelvic or obstetric ultrasound: a full bladder is often needed; you may be asked to drink water before the exam
  • Musculoskeletal, vascular, or thyroid ultrasound: typically no preparation needed

Our staff will provide specific instructions when you book. If you’re unsure, please call the clinic ahead of time.

Yes. Diagnostic ultrasound has been used safely in pregnancy for decades when ordered by a healthcare provider for medical reasons. It does not use ionizing radiation and is the standard of care for monitoring fetal development. In line with Health Canada and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) policy, we only perform fetal ultrasound on referral from a licensed healthcare provider. We do not provide non-medical “keepsake” ultrasounds.

No. Ultrasound is painless. You may feel mild pressure as the sonographer moves the probe over your skin, and the gel may feel cool when first applied. The gel is wiped off at the end of the exam.

X-Ray

Available at all our clinic at 8500 Blackfoot Trail SE.

X-rays are commonly used to diagnose:

  • Bone fractures and dislocations
  • Joint conditions and arthritis
  • Chest and lung conditions, including pneumonia
  • Spinal alignment and degenerative changes
  • Foreign objects in soft tissue

Your referring physician will determine whether an X-ray is the right test for your symptoms.

The radiation dose from a modern digital X-ray is very low — for many exams, comparable to a few days of natural background radiation we all encounter from the environment. Our clinic adheres to the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), an internationally recognized radiation safety standard endorsed by the Canadian Association of Radiologists and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When an X-ray is medically justified, the diagnostic benefit substantially outweighs the very small radiation risk.

Yes, when medically necessary. We use pediatric-specific low-dose protocols and shielding to minimize exposure, in accordance with ALARA principles. Children and pregnant women are more sensitive to radiation, so dose reduction is especially important for these patients. A parent or legal guardian must accompany any patient under 18.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing without metal in the area being scanned. Avoid jewellery, belts, zippers, and underwire bras over the imaging area, as metal can interfere with the image. You may be asked to change into a gown depending on the body part being examined.

Yes. Please tell our technologist if you are or might be pregnant, as alternative imaging may be considered. Also let us know about any recent imaging exams, implants, or relevant medical history that could affect your scan.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

Image-guided injections at our Calgary clinic

We provide image-guided pain management injections, including:

  • Joint injections (shoulder, hip, knee, and others)
  • Spine and nerve-related injections
  • Soft tissue injections for chronic pain

Image guidance (using ultrasound or fluoroscopy) ensures the medication is delivered precisely to the target site.

Image-guided injections may help reduce pain and improve function for:

  • Chronic back, neck, and joint pain
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Sports and overuse injuries
  • Nerve-related pain
  • Post-surgical or post-injury pain

Whether this approach is right for you depends on your specific condition. Your referring physician will determine if a referral is appropriate.

Yes. Procedures are performed by qualified specialists using imaging guidance to ensure precision and safety. As with any medical procedure, there are some risks, which your provider will review with you before the appointment, along with any specific aftercare instructions.

Pain management injections are intended to reduce pain, improve mobility, and support your overall quality of life, they are not always a permanent cure. Results vary based on your underlying condition, its severity, and how your body responds. Your provider will discuss realistic expectations with you.

Most patients report only minimal discomfort. Local anesthetic is used to numb the area before the injection, and the procedure itself is quick and generally well tolerated. Some mild soreness at the injection site after the procedure is normal and usually resolves within a day or two.

APPOINTMENTS & SUPPORT

Booking, accessibility, and patient experience

You can book your appointment in three ways:

  • Online — use our online booking form to choose your service, clinic, and preferred time
  • By phone — call our 24/7 line at 1-844-967-5352; our virtual assistant can help you book any time
  • Direct to your local clinic — see our Locations page for clinic-specific phone numbers

We’ll typically confirm your appointment within 24 hours of receiving your request.

Yes. Walk-ins are welcome for X-ray exams at our Calgary clinic during regular hours, as long as you have a valid requisition from your physician. Ultrasound and pain management appointments must be booked in advance.

Yes. Our clinics are designed to be accessible, including wheelchair access and assistance from our staff when needed. If you have specific accessibility needs mobility, vision, hearing, or interpretation please let us know when booking so we can prepare for your visit.

We understand plans change. Please contact your local clinic or call our 24/7 line at 1-844-967-5352 as early as possible if you need to reschedule or cancel. Letting us know in advance helps us offer your time slot to another patient who may be waiting.

 Wosler Diagnostics combines:

  • 18 clinics across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia — including rural and First Nations communities
  • Timely appointments — most ultrasound appointments available within the same week
  • Experienced sonographers and radiologists using modern digital equipment
  • Full coverage for medically necessary services through AHCIP, Saskatchewan Health, and MSI
  • 24/7 phone support via our virtual assistant for booking and rescheduling

STAY IN TOUCH

Still have Questions?

Our team is here to help, Call us any time or send us a message.

Brooks, Alberta

220 4th Street West, Brooks, AB, T1R 0B1

Wosler Diagnostics ultrasound clinic is now accepting all requisitions. Find us on the main floor of the Newell Medical Centre, next to the Sleep clinic.