X-Ray (Radiology)
255-5155 or 255-6207/9616

Gannett can conduct most x-ray examinations on-site. Gannett's Radiology Department on Level 2 is staffed by experienced x-ray technologists who are important members of Gannett's medical team. 

X-rays are used in the diagnosis of many diseases and disorders. They can help a clinician confirm or rule out a diagnosis. Most radiology exams are painless and our equipment uses the lowest possible amount of radiation.

If you need special procedures that we cannot conduct on-site, we will provide appropriate referrals.

Frequently Asked Questions  

We hope this information will address your questions about x-ray. If you have further questions, please ask an x-ray technician.

What is an x-ray?

An x-ray is invisible electromagnetic energy produced using electric power and an x-ray tube. When electricity is applied to the x-ray tube, it creates electromagnetic energy in the form of an x-ray beam. The x-ray beam is focused on a body part, where it creates an image (called a radiograph) of the dense structures inside the body.

Getting an x-ray is a painless procedure. Modern equipment produces high-quality images using the lowest possible amount of radiation.

Here at Gannett we have a "state of the art" digital radiographic system. Instead of using film, the images are produced by a detector that digitizes them and sends them to a console. At the console the technologist can view and make changes to produce a quality image to send to our PACS* unit. The PACS stores the images for review by your clinician and the radiologist on their office computers.

*PACS stands for "Picture Archiving and Communication System." 

When are x-rays ordered? 

X-rays are used in the diagnosis of many diseases and disorders. They can show changes in the part of the body being examined. X-rays help your clinician confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

If you or your clinician wishes for you to have an x-ray, feel free to inquire about the need for the x-ray examination so that you understand why you are having the exam. Be sure to tell your clinician if you have had any similar x-rays recently; it may not be necessary to have more. It is a good idea to keep a record of the x-ray examinations you have had so you can provide accurate information about your x-ray history to any clinician. A record keeper is provided on the flap of this pamphlet.

How do I prepare for an x-ray? 

To prepare for your exam you may be asked to remove clothes (a gown will be provided) and jewelry. Metal, plastic, or any dense object can obstruct the x-rays, leaving an image of the object on the x-ray obstructing the critical view. Clothes, jewelry, and dental fillings that are exposed to x-rays are not harmed in any way.

We use a lead apron to protect the reproductive area of male and female patients, unless the area being x-rayed is near or overlying this area. Lead shielding may not be possible for x-rays of the pelvis, hips, abdomen or lower back.

Why do they ask if I might pregnant before doing an X-ray?

If a patient is female, we must ask if there is a possibility she could be pregnant. Please understand that x-rays can pose a risk to a developing fetus, so we take every precaution to avoid exposing pregnant women to x-rays. We ask this question of all women, making no assumptions about your sexual activity or orientation. If the answer is yes, we will refer you back to your clinician to discuss the urgency of the exam and alternative measures to manage your care. This may involve a simple pregnancy test and/or possibly performing the exam with maximum lead shielding for the abdominal area. If the area needing x-rays is in the abdomen, the exam will be postponed unless it is urgent.

What happens during an x-ray? 

A New York State-licensed Radiologic Technologist (RT), who is trained and qualified to perform the exam and process and examine digital images for technical quality, will perform your exam. The technologist will have you stand, sit, or lie on a table. S/he will carefully position the part of the body that is to be imaged.

The technologist will go behind a protective window to take the x-ray. (This keeps her/his daily exposure to x-rays at a minimum.) It takes only a second for a simple x-ray to be taken (similar to taking a photo). You must remain perfectly still while the x-ray picture is being taken. Several x-rays may be taken for different views.

After the x-rays are taken, the images are viewed, processed for quality, and sent electronically to our PACS* system. This allows them to be viewed by your clinician and by our consulting radiologist for official interpretation. The technologist is not qualified to read your x-rays.

*PACS stands for "Picture Archiving and Communication System." 

How are x-rays interpreted? 

Your clinician may review your films today and comment on his/her interpretation of them; but an official interpretation will be performed later in the day (M-F) by a radiologist. A radiologist is a doctor specially trained to interpret X-ray images. A copy of the radiologist’s interpretation will be placed in your health record and sent to your clinician by 10 a.m. the next workday. 

Should I be concerned about exposure to radiation? 

Be assured that the radiation exposure you will receive will be as low as possible to obtain the necessary x-rays. A list of radiation doses for common exams is posted in each x-ray room.

“Calculating the health risks from radiation is a very inexact science, riddled with uncertainty. Apart from the effects on developing fetuses through exposure of the mother’s abdomen, there is no direct evidence of human harm from low doses of radiation” (FDA Consumer Magazine, 10/92; DHHS Publication No. 93-8099).

Feel free to discuss any questions or concerns with your clinician or technician. You may call Cornell Environmental Health and Safety at 255-8200 with questions regarding radiation exposure not answered by the technologist. 

Can I take the x-rays with me? 

All x-rays taken here are stored in our PACS* system. You may request a CD of your images and report (if the radiologist has made and approved an interpretation). We will ask you to sign a form to indicate your permission to release confidential health information.

Please come to the x-ray office at Gannett, call us, or have your clinician call us at 607-255-6207 or 255-9616. If you catch us at a slow moment, we can make a CD for you in about ten minutes. Please understand that, if we are busy serving other patients, you may need to return later in the day or on the next business day to pick up your CD.

*PACS stands for "Picture Archiving and Communication System."