Try non-pharmacologic options first
Most patients with mild to moderate claustrophobia complete MRI successfully with a few simple accommodations: open-bore or wide-bore MRI where available, prone positioning when feasible, eye masks, music, a companion in the room, and a thorough orientation to the machine before the scan starts. Our technologists are trained to recognise patient distress and adapt the workflow.
When oral anxiolysis is appropriate
Adult patients with significant anxiety or claustrophobia, who are otherwise healthy outpatients, can often complete the study with a low-dose oral anxiolytic prescribed by their referring provider and taken before arrival. The prescribing provider remains responsible for the prescription, the dose, and the assessment of patient suitability.
Patients taking an oral anxiolytic must arrange for a responsible adult to drive them home and should not drive, operate machinery, or sign legal documents for the rest of the day.
What we do not offer outpatient
Our outpatient centres do not offer moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anaesthesia. Patients who require these levels of sedation — adult or paediatric — should be referred to a hospital-based imaging service equipped for anaesthesia coverage and post-procedure recovery.
Paediatric patients
Precise does not provide paediatric sedation services in our outpatient centres. Children who require sedation for imaging should be referred to a paediatric imaging programme. Older paediatric patients who can cooperate with the study without sedation may be scheduled at our locations on a case-by-case basis after triage.
Fasting and pre-procedure instructions
Patients receiving oral anxiolysis should follow the prescriber's specific instructions, which typically include fasting for several hours before the dose. Patients arriving sedated without a driver, or in any state our staff judge unsafe for outpatient imaging, will be rescheduled.
Coordinating with Precise
Note the planned use of an oral anxiolytic on the imaging order so we can schedule appropriately and confirm the driver arrangement at the time of booking. Our scheduling team will reach out with logistical details prior to the appointment.
Questions referring offices ask first.
Does Precise prescribe the sedative?
No. The referring provider prescribes the oral anxiolytic and is responsible for the dose and the patient's suitability.
Can a patient drive themselves home after taking an oral anxiolytic?
No. They must arrange a responsible adult driver.
Do you offer general anaesthesia for adults who cannot tolerate MRI?
Not in our outpatient centres. Those patients should be referred to a hospital-based imaging service.
Educational reference for referring providers. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or the current official appropriateness criteria. References imaging modalities offered by Precise; modalities not in our network are out of scope.