Getting Here
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh is located at 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh 15224. Please allow yourself extra travel time as traffic patterns are subject to change.
- Parking is available on-campus for all patients and families in the Mid Campus and Penn Garages. Parking is not validated. Valet Service is available, with rates the same as families who choose to self-park.
- Sedation Services is located on the second floor of the Main Hospital. Please take the grape elevators to the 2nd floor and follow the signs to radiology. The greeter will be able to assist you to the reception and waiting areas of radiology.
Please be sure to tell the greeter if you are for anesthesia or sedation to process your registration as quickly as possible.
- Please be sure to note that your visit to our department can be lengthy so be prepared for childcare and school pick up for other children in your care if you are delayed in our department.
- It is very important this at if you have a special need or accommodation that we are made aware of it at your earliest convenience. We attempt to provide aid and support for anxiety, emotional, and developmental issues.
For Your Child’s Safety
- We may ask you and/or your child to change out of your regular clothing into hospital clothing. This includes undergarments.
- We expect that your child’s jewelry, piercings, glitter objects, magnetic lashes, heavy makeup, nail art, hair extensions, beading, hair gel or glitter, body gel or glitter will be removed prior to your arrival to avoid a sudden cancellation of the exam.
- Implants, devices or appliances that are on or in your child may also cause the exam to be cancelled. We would like to know ahead of time regarding any dental appliance, coil, spring or device that may be in place. Any implantable device, shunt, VNS or medication patch or pump should be disclosed prior to your exam.
- Please inform us if you have an allergy to contrast.
- Please alert us if you have significant issues with medications.
- The radiologist is the final say in determining if the exam will take place if there are identified risks involved.
Food and Drink Restrictions
- We will ask that you follow our food and drink restrictions, which can be explained to you during our day ahead phone call, however we follow the nothing solid by mouth from 8 hours before the day of exam time.
- We can provide you with more details concerning our food and drink restrictions during our call or you may call 412-692-9524 and ask more detailed questions.
The Day of the Exam
- We will screen your child for any safety risks the day of the exam, and that includes illness or signs and symptoms of a cold or virus.
- The sedation or anesthesiologist has the final say in determining the safety of the use of sedation or anesthesia.
- It is very important that you call 412-692-9524 and report cold or virus symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose or vomiting as much ahead of the scheduled exam as possible.
- Females of menstruation age may be asked to provide a urine sample the day of exam.
Exam Time
- We predict that your exam time is 1 to 1.5 hours after your arrival. Please be on time! We try to run efficiently and effectively as our schedule and our children allow.
- Each MRI exam varies in length. The radiologist chooses a protocol that is customized to your child’s needs and diagnosis. A protocol is based on size, indication for exam, and body part or parts being imaged.
- We will keep you informed of delays.
We are concerned for your comfort and privacy and appreciate any feedback about your experience to improve. We will plan to see you the day of your exam and provide you with appropriate pre and post care information.
For more information, call 412-692-9524.
