Your study team will advise where to meet them if not at the BC Children's Hospital MRI Research Facility. Please confirm your meeting spot in advance of your appointment. If you are meeting your study team at the MRI Research Facility, please go to Door 99 (site map).
Everyone participating in an MR scan or simulator visit is asked to arrive in the MRI Research Facility a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the appointment time. You will be required to fill out an MR screening form upon arrival.
Preparing for your MRI scan
- There are no specific dietary or other preparations for your MRI scan. Take any medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- You must change into hospital clothes upon arrival, prior to your appointment, and remove any metal accessories such as watches, jewelry, hair clips, and bras.
- All piercings and removable dental bridges/dentures must be removed.
- Please do not wear eye make-up or glittery nail polish.
- Please do not apply any scented body products on the day of your appointment.
- Please do not use any hair gel and make sure your hair is dry.
MRI Safety Reminder
The most important part of preparing for your MRI is determining
whether you have any metal or surgical implants that may be affected by the strong magnetic fields used in the MRI process. Most implants are
not affected by MRI, but if you have any of the following you will not be able to participate in the MRI study:
- Pacemaker
- Brain aneurysm clip
- Cochlear implant
- Recent surgery or tattoos within the past six weeks
- Possibility of pregnancy
- Electrical stimulator for nerves or bones
- Implanted infusion pump
If you have any of the following, please contact the study coordinator or MR technologist:
- History of any eye injury involving metal fragments
- You have been a metal worker (grinding, machining, or welding)
- Artificial heart valve
- Orthopedic hardware (artificial joint, plate, screws, rods)
- Other metallic prostheses
- Coil, catheter or filter in any blood vessel
- Ear or eye implant
- Shrapnel, bullets, or other metallic fragments
- Medication releasing skin patches (nicotine, birth control, nitroglycerine)
What to expect during an MRI scan
- All visitors will be screened for communicable respiratory illness at the door.
- All participants, visitors and staff must wear a medical grade mask inside the Facility at all times
- All individuals entering the MRI suite, including patients, subjects, staff, and volunteers, will go through the MR screening process for safety.
- Anyone having an MRI must change into hospital pajamas prior to entering the MRI room. A secure area for personal belongings will be provided.
- MRI does not cause any pain or discomfort, but it is very loud. Mandatory hearing protection is provided for everyone undergoing a scan. As the MRI scan begins, you will hear the equipment making a variety of loud knocking and clicking sounds while it is taking the images. Each series of sounds may last for several minutes.
- It is important to be very still during the exam to ensure the best quality of images.
- The MRI technologist will be able to see you and can talk with you at all times. An intercom system allows two-way communication while you are inside the MRI. You will also have a call button in your hand that you can push to let the technologist know if you are having any problems or concerns.
Directions & Parking
The BC Children's Hospital MRI Research Facility is located at Entrance 99, near the admitting department of BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre, and across from the Djavad Mowafaghian Child Care Centre at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital.
BC Children's Hospital MRI Research Facility
4480 Oak Street
Entrance 99 (site map)
Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1
(604) 875-2000 ext. 6897
Vehicles may enter the site off Oak Street and 28th Avenue.
Please note that site parking is metered and may be limited at times. It is highly recommended that you give yourself extra time to find parking and walk to the BC Children's Hospital MRI Research Facility in advance of your appointment.
Parking is not permitted on Oak Street before 9:30 am or after 3 pm.