ARA Women’s Imaging Center – Central

Wow, I’ve certainly had a completely different experience at this ARA location than some of my fellow reviewers. To make a long story short, I had to go for a diagnostic mammo after my yearly screening (which I’ve always done at the W. William Cannon location; a very nice facility). The staff here was wonderful; very kind and accommodating. I was called back exactly at the time my appt. was set, taken to a dressing room, given a very nice, soft spa-​like waffle robe, then seated in the inner waiting area. Yes, there were other women in there. No, I did not care. It was comfortable, and I was only in there for a few minutes before being called in for my diagnostic. I didn’t even have time for one game of cell phone solitaire.
The tech explained exactly what the radiologist was looking for, and was it wasn’t too uncomfortable (getting your breasts squeezed by a huge machine is never fun). I changed into my street clothes (they gave me a basket to carry my shirt, etc. around in), went back to the waiting area, and soon after, the radiologist called me in his office to discuss the results. He was very thorough and had a nice bedside manner whilst explaining that I would have to come back for a biopsy. Wah. Scary!!!
I did, it wasn’t fun, but the staff made me as comfortable as possible, and the doc explained every part of the process as it was happening. They called me twice to follow up and make sure I was doing ok, then 48 hours later called to give me my result, which was very good news. No worries. Time for champagne!
I will continue to go to this location for my yearly mammy’s, and really appreciate the excellent, compassionate care I was given here.

If I could give 0 stars I would.

Beware! Appt times are a one-​way street. I was late (admittedly) — a misunderstanding with the scheduler. The receptionist also admitted they were also running late — well over an hour behind, but refused to slot me in where I would be because of a ’15 minute late policy’ that forces a reschedule. Already waited 3 weeks for this appt. Come to find out another women in the waiting room was scheduled for the same test at the same time — so they had no intention of seeing one of us at the scheduled time. One of the receptionists at least had the decency to ‘ask someone’ — manager had already left for the day — that someone didn’t even bother to look in my direction sitting less than 5 feet away. No One wants to have medical tests done — even worse when treated poorly by such a lopsided policy. YOU can double book people and be as late as you like. WE can’t be 15 minutes late for a service we then will pay for.

Apparently the appointment times don’t mean anything… Waiting plus 40 minutes to be taken in to another room to wait some more… Ugh

I really want to love this place, but over the past 5 years every time I have left here I have been incredibly frustrated.
So why do I continue to schedule my mammograms at this location? Because the techs and radiologists are wonderful, and because I have this romantic notion about how they cater to women and that there is a benefit to me having all of my records in one location. And each visit I reassure myself that my long, long wait was an exception, and not typical
The spacious waiting area is inviting and comfortable and cheerfully decorated for various seasons/​holidays. But the warmth of the décor rapidly begins to wear off with each quarter hour that passes beyond your scheduled appointment time. (My average wait has been 30 mins past my appt.) Then when you are finally escorted to the back, you get to put on a flimsy cape and wait longer in a small room with other women. (My experience has been that this is an additional 20 – 30 minutes.) If you also have an ultrasound scheduled after your mammogram, you will once again wait in a small room with other women in the back, in your flimsy little cape. (My wait times at this point have been between 30 and 50 minutes.) I have never gotten out of the Women’s Imaging Center at the Jefferson location in less than 2.5 hours, and usually I am there just over 3 hours. It is unbelievable.
Seriously, an assessment of their scheduling processes and procedures and software absolutely needs to be undertaken. This is not an emergency room — they know ahead of time which procedures each patient is having done months ahead of time — I cannot understand how they are unable to efficiently and effectively schedule their appointments. It really is unacceptable.
The other illusion I have (that has been a huge source of frustration for me) is that they will automatically look at your previous films when determining changes, etc. That is not the case. My experience has been that you will start from the beginning and spend a lot of time speculating and guessing before someone will finally go pull your previous films.
I really didn’t want this to be a rant… the techs are always terrific, I appreciate their sincere empathy and consideration, and the concept is awesome, but that is not enough to overcome the scheduling mess and lack of continuity of care. It falls disappointingly short of even a mediocre experience, and I will not return.

I’ve been to this imaging center several times because I’ve had issues with breast lumps (thankfully, always benign so far). I’ve given two stars because the facilities are nice and I feel like I’ve gotten good care/​explanations about my screenings in the past. But appointments here seem to always be late to start and take forever even after you’re seen.
On my most recent visit, I had to have a mammogram for something that was too deep against my chest wall for the ultrasound to see. Being in my early 30s, I’m aware that regular mammograms aren’t usually recommended for women my age except in certain circumstances (like mine), as unnecessary shots of radiation are to be avoided if possible. I was fine with getting one this time until the tech kept taking images and finding there was a shadow on the edge of the image, «and the doctor won’t like it if she sees that.» So I got not one set but THREE SETS of images done on one side. At the time I just wanted it over with, but I wish I’d told her to deal with what we got after two tries. That seems like a lot of extra rads because of user error!
So, I’m feeling like I’m all mammogramed out until 40, but a new doctor recently recommended I get another mammogram this year to make sure there’s no change in the mass I have. Adding to my reluctance to come here again, even though I work just down the street, is the fact that I’ve gotten no response on two separate appointment requests made in the past three weeks. This place blows… don’t bother.

I was surprised to see the poor reviews on here because my experience was excellent. I had to come here for a CT scan and this is where my Dr. referred me.
Pretty standard stuff for a medical facility. You come in, check in, fill out forms, wait, meet nurse, etc. The clinic was running on time, which pleasantly surprised me. I got changed and was brought back right away. One note about the facility, I thought it was clean but I was most impressed with the new Siemens CT scan. Whenever I’ve had radiologic tests in the past, there’s always a thought in the back of my mind that the exposure to the radiation with the older machines will do my body damage. This machine just seemed technologically advance and highly efficient.
My nurses were super friendly and we chatted throughout the process. They were great and so was the rest of the staff.
The test results were sent to my Dr. that afternoon. I thought it was prompt considering I’ve had to wait for results up to 72 hours in the past.
The reason for 4 stars and not 5 is they do not validate parking, so there is a charge for that.
If I need another CT scan, I’d come back here.

Agreed. This place is the WORST.

The one star comes with a condition.
This past summer Dr. O’Connell was very kind, compassionate and professional when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Today, I went in for just an ultrasound ordered by the doctor. Dr. Martindale was the doctor there today. First she started with a long explanation of her negative opinion of how I had chosen to do some of my approach to cancer. I have used a combination of surgery and holistic. She was completely discounting the holistic approach and was telling that I should not have the ultrasound.
Then she wasn’t happy when I was insisting she just follow the request from the doctor. She finally said OK, then pulled the technician out of the room and said to only do a portion of it.
After coming back into the room to say it was inconclusive (what a surprise coming from her perspective.) When I asked if she was refusing to do the other she said yes. She was only doing what was «best» for me. In my opinion, she was doing a power play and not was was «best» for me. even if it is only psychologically.
MY recommendation is ONLY go to this clinic if you can see Dr. O’Connell. IF NOT, avoid it.