How to book MRI, CT and ultrasound scans by phone: questions, preparation, referrals
Sado AI team · · 4 min read
In short
Booking a scan is harder than a regular visit: the time depends on the scan type and body area, some scans need preparation or contrast, and MRI comes with safety questions. In the call, find out five things: which scan and area, whether there’s a referral, whether contrast is needed, the answers to the centre’s safety questions, and a convenient time. Give preparation only from the centre doctor’s rules, and leave “which scan do I need?” to a doctor. An AI operator can take these calls in Uzbek and Russian.
Why booking a scan is different
A GP visit needs a day and a time. A wrong scan booking costs more: the ultrasound can’t be done because the patient ate, the contrast CT lacks the required blood test, or the MRI machine sits idle because the slot was set for the wrong body area. So ask the same questions, in the same order, every time.
What to ask in the call
- Scan and area: “Which scan do you need: MRI, CT or ultrasound? Which area: head, lower back, abdomen?”
- Referral: “Did your doctor give you a referral?” If it says contrast, the slot and preparation are different.
- For MRI, the centre’s safety questions: any metal implants or a pacemaker, any chance of pregnancy. If the answer is “yes” or “not sure”, don’t decide on the phone: the radiologist calls the patient back.
- A convenient day and time, with two options: “Tomorrow at 11:20 or 15:40?”
- Name, age and phone. For a child, who will come with them.
Take every question from the centre’s own list, approved by the chief radiologist, so reception reads from the sheet rather than from memory.
Preparation: what to say on the phone
The table is only an example of what many centres ask; your rules are set by the centre’s doctor.
| Scan | Preparation to mention (example) |
|---|---|
| Abdominal ultrasound | Come in the morning, on an empty stomach |
| CT or MRI with contrast | Bring the test result the centre asks for; don’t eat for the time the centre states |
| MRI without contrast | Leave metal items at home; bring earlier reports |
| Any scan | Passport, referral, earlier images (disc or report) |
Mention the preparation twice: when booking and in the reminder call the day before. On reminders: how to cut no-shows.
Sample call: booking an MRI
Sado: Assalomu alaykum, Nur Diagnostika centre, Malika speaking.
Caller: Hello. I’d like an MRI of my lower back; my neurologist gave me a referral.
Sado: All right. Does the referral mention contrast? And do you have any metal implants or a pacemaker?
Caller: No contrast. No metal either.
Sado: Then tomorrow at 11:20 or 15:40 is free. Which suits you?
Caller: 11:20. My name is Sardor Yusupov.
Sado: Sardor, you’re booked for 11:20 tomorrow. Bring your passport, the referral and earlier reports, and leave metal items at home.
No referral, prices and report times
- “I have no referral, I just want to check” — give the centre’s rule: whether scans are done without one, or a visit with the centre’s doctor comes first.
- “Do I need an MRI or a CT?” — reception doesn’t answer this; book a consultation with a doctor.
- “How much is it?” — from the price list, by scan and area. If contrast is paid separately, say so up front.
- “When is the report ready?” — give the centre’s timing and how it’s issued: paper, disc or Telegram.
An AI operator for a diagnostic centre
An AI operator for incoming calls asks your list of questions in the same order on every call, gives preparation from the centre’s rules and books free slots. If a safety answer is “yes” or “not sure”, it follows your rule: it transfers the call to reception’s phone or creates a task for the radiologist to call back. Each call’s recording, transcript and collected answers are in the portal.
It answers at night and at weekends too, in Uzbek or Russian. Day-before reminders go out through AI outbound calls. Everything for clinics: AI phone receptionist for clinics. Try it live or call 78 778 01 23.
Questions
Does the AI operator say which scan is needed?
No, a doctor chooses the scan. The operator books the scan on the referral; without one, it books a doctor’s consultation under the centre’s rules.
Who asks the MRI safety questions?
The centre provides the list, and the operator asks every patient the same questions in the same order. The radiologist decides.
What if a patient calls at night?
The operator answers 24/7: it books a free slot or creates a task for staff to call back in the morning.