Yes, our portable ultrasound machines are high-end and produce excellent image quality. Over the past decade, portable units have advanced tremendously many have the same technology as the cart-based hospital machines, just in a compact form. They have high-frequency probes for superficial imaging, low-frequency probes for deep imaging, Doppler capabilities, etc. For instance, visualizing a gallstone or kidney stone at home on our machine is as clear as on a hospital device. Our radiologists might sometimes even recall scans done on our machines as being sharper than some older hospital machines. Digital tech allows us to adjust images similarly to hospital systems.

Preparation depends on the type of ultrasound: Abdominal Ultrasound: You need to fast (no food, and preferably no drink except sips of water) for about 6-8 hours before the scan. So usually, if an afternoon scan, skip breakfast and have the scan by mid-day. This reduces gas and ensures gallbladder is distended for best viewing. Pelvic Ultrasound (including early pregnancy): You should have a full bladder. Drink about 1 liter of water finishing ~45 minutes before the appointment and then hold your urine. A full bladder helps visualize the uterus and ovaries or the pregnancy in early stages.

The cost of an at-home ultrasound is generally a bit higher than the standard rate at a diagnostic center this accounts for the personalized service, technician travel, and convenience factor. However, when you factor in the cost of transportation (especially if you needed special transport like an ambulance for an immobile patient) and the value of your time, it often balances out or even saves you money/effort. We operate on a transparent pricing model: when you call, we'll tell you exactly what the scan will cost, and that includes everything (the technician visit, the scan, the radiologist report, digital copy of results).

If our ultrasound reveals an urgent or significant abnormality, we will act promptly. For urgent findings say, signs of appendicitis, ectopic pregnancy, a large ovarian torsion suspicion, a deep vein clot, etc. our radiologist will issue a STAT report and our team will call you (and with your permission, your doctor) immediately to recommend next steps (like going to a hospital). In many cases, our staff can help facilitate that transition for example, we might call an ambulance for you if needed, or call ahead to an ER to expect you, depending on the scenario. We won't leave you in the lurch with a scary finding. For significant but not immediate findings (like a tumor detection), we'll still ensure you're informed as soon as the report is ready and advise follow-up with the appropriate specialist.