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Patient Care

We are a team of physicians dedicated to training the next generation of radiologists, advancing basic science for clinical practice, and above all else providing quality and compassionate care to patients. Our commitment to patients is our number one priority. Our team of doctors, faculty, researchers, nurses, advanced practice providers, and staff have one focus…you. We are determined to have the latest state-of-the-art technology and are at the forefront of research to ensure that our patients are getting the highest quality care possible.

Patient Safety

UNC Radiology is committed to patient safety. We have taken a lead position globally on the subject of safety in the use of MRI gadolinium contrast agents, especially with regard to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. We are also strongly committed to safety with medical radiation and model our approach to practicing radiation safety on American College of Radiology published policy. We have also adopted a leadership position with iodinated contrast agents employed in CT, most notably appropriate use for patients with poor kidney function.

Safety is a subject that must be constantly re-evaluated with continued modification in practices to keep abreast of the current state of knowledge. UNC Radiology is unmatched in its record for attentiveness to patient safety and we continue to strive to lead the world on this subject.

COVID-19 Update

UNC Health Mask Policy
Effective Monday, June 19, 2023, UNC Health is updating our mask policy for patients and visitors at our owned entities* to transition to “Mask Optional” in most areas, with the following exceptions:

Patients who have symptoms of respiratory illnesses must wear a mask.
Note: Individuals with respiratory symptoms should not visit our facilities unless seeking direct medical care.

Masks may still be required for patients and visitors in certain high-risk units and clinics identified by entity leadership and Infection Prevention. Please check with your local hospital’s visitor web pages for specific mask requirements for high-risk units.

These changes to our mask policy are consistent with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and low COVID-19 infection rates across North Carolina. This policy may continue to evolve as we monitor the data related to respiratory virus transmission levels and workforce needs.

* Owned Entities = UNC Health Alliance, UNC Health Caldwell, UNC Health Chatham, UNC Health Rex, UNC Health Rockingham, UNC Hospitals, UNC Faculty Physicians and UNC Physicians Network (including UNCPN Group Practices).

This policy serves as guidance for UNC Health’s managed entities.

Sending Radiology Images to a Hospital or Physician Outside of UNC Health

UNC Department of Radiology is pleased to offer patients contactless transfer of radiology images. Patients may request images to be sent to their homes or to the physician’s office. Our goal is to securely transfer radiology images between patients, hospitals, and physicians, always protecting patient privacy in the most efficient manner possible. We share images through a secure “cloud-based” network or via CD, depending on the request.
Patients may submit a request to have their radiology images sent to any healthcare provider by one of the following options:

  1. MyUNCChart – For your convenience, you may send a message to request your images be transferred electronically to another hospital using the UNC MyChart patient portal. In your message, please include the name and address of the facility to receive your radiology images. The request will be sent to Medical Records.
  2. Call to request their records. Call the Imaging Exchange Department at (984) 974-9362 Option 1. They will request your email and send you the fillable patient authorization form. Complete the form and email it back. The request will take 3-5 business days to process and complete. A CD is created and then sent to the patient’s home or requested facility or physician. You must complete an authorization form for every location if requesting the images be sent to multiple locations.
  3. You can pick up your images from the Imaging Exchange Department. Their office is in the basement of UNC Medical Center. Right around the corner from the adult radiology check-in desk. When you disembark from the elevator make two lefts and it will be the window on the left. They will provide you a CD of your images. Please note that this location only has the images taken at UNC Health in Chapel Hill and Hillsborough Hospital. For imaging taken at other locations including REX or Chatham you will have to contact that facility directly.

Location
UNC Medical Center
Imaging Exchange Department
101 Manning Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: (984) 974-9362, option 1
Fax: (984) 215-5759
filmmail@unchealth.unc.edu
Hours open: 7am to 8pm.

Physician Outside of UNC Health Requesting Patient Imaging

The physician would send a request through our Nuance PowerShare. If the physician or facility is not part of PowerShare then they can email the Imaging Exchange Department at filmmail@unchealth.unc.edu or fax 984-215-5759. They need to send the patient’s authorization form or the doctor can sign on company letterhead with the patient’s name and date of birth and imaging records they are requesting.

Uploading Your Images From an Outside Hospital to UNC Health

At this time, we don’t take any imaging directly from you. Please note that your UNC physician will accept your imaging. Their team will then submit the imaging and internal import request form. The form can be requested from the Imaging Exchange Department and can be faxed or emailed to the doctor or staff.