Nuclear Medicine in Artesia & Carlsbad NM | SPECT Scans at Artesia General Hospital

Nuclear medicine imaging in Artesia is a unique branch of diagnostic imaging that reveals how your organs are functioning — not just what they look like. While CT scans and X-rays show physical structure, nuclear medicine shows physiological function. That distinction makes it one of the most powerful diagnostic tools available, capable of detecting disease in its earliest stages, often before it would appear on any other scan. For some conditions, nuclear medicine provides diagnostic information that simply cannot be obtained any other way.

Artesia General Hospital offers nuclear medicine and SPECT imaging at our Artesia, NM campus, using the GE HealthCare NM 830 gamma camera. We serve patients from Artesia, Carlsbad, Roswell, Hobbs, and across southeastern New Mexico. We require a physician’s referral to schedule the procedure.

The GE HealthCare NM 830

AGH recently upgraded to the GE HealthCare NM 830, a current-generation dual-head SPECT gamma camera. Key features include:

Evolution technology: reduces scan time or injected tracer dose compared to prior-generation software— shorter exams, greater patient comfort
Elite NXT detectors with an open table design: the detectors do not enclose you, giving you clear sightlines throughout the scan
Dual-head SPECT: two detector heads capture images simultaneously for more comprehensive results in a single pass

Nuclear Medicine Scans We Offer

The specific scan your physician orders depends on which organ or condition needs evaluation. Scans available at AGH include:

Scan Type	What It Evaluates
Bone Scan	Bone structure, activity, and density
Cardiac Scan / Nuclear Stress Test	Blood flow to the heart at rest and under stress
Thyroid Scan	Thyroid gland structure and function
Renal (Kidney) Scan	Kidney blood flow, drainage, and function
Gallbladder (HIDA) Scan	Gallbladder function and bile flow
Lung (V/Q) Scan	Air and blood flow in the lungs
Gastric Emptying Scan	Speed of stomach emptying
Parathyroid (Sestamibi) Scan	Parathyroid glands function and localization

Not sure which scan your physician ordered? Call our scheduling team at 1-855-RAD-EXAM and we can clarify before your appointment.

What to Expect

Most nuclear medicine scans involve a brief tracer injection, a waiting period for the tracer to reach the target organ, then 20 to 45 minutes of painless imaging. The GE NM 830’s open design means you are never confined — you lie on a padded table with clear sightlines throughout the scan.

For a complete patient guide that covers preparation, explains each step of the procedure, outlines possible side effects, provides breastfeeding guidance, addresses claustrophobia concerns, and describes how clinicians deliver results, read “What to Expect During a Nuclear Medicine Scan” at AGH.

Scheduling

We require a physician’s referral to schedule nuclear medicine imaging at AGH. Once you have your referral:

Call 1-855-RAD-EXAM (1-855-723-3926) to schedule
Bring your insurance card, physician’s order, and a list of current medications
Arrive on time, the radioactive tracer is prepared specifically for your appointment time

Nuclear medicine imaging is available at the AGH main campus in Artesia only. The Carlsbad Open MRI and Imaging Center offers MRI, MRA, ultrasound, and digital X-ray — not nuclear medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nuclear Medicine in Artesia

Is the radioactive material safe?

Yes. The amount of radiotracer used is extremely small — comparable to the radiation exposure from a standard CT scan. The tracer loses its radioactivity quickly and leaves your body naturally within 24 to 48 hours, primarily through urine. Nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures use low-dose radiation, and researchers have not identified any known long-term adverse effects from this level of exposure. Physicians have been using nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures for more than six decades.

Tell your physician and the AGH imaging team before your scan if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or think you might be pregnant.

What are common reasons to have a nuclear medicine scan?

Common exams include cardiac stress tests to evaluate blood flow to the heart, bone scans to detect fractures or cancer spread, HIDA scans to assess gallbladder function, thyroid scans to analyze thyroid activity, kidney scans to evaluate blood flow and drainage, and lung scans to check for blood clots.

How is the radiotracer given?

Most often by a small IV injection in your arm. For some scans, it is given as a capsule to take or a gas to inhale. You will not feel the tracer working inside your body. When the IV is placed, you may feel a brief sting or a cold sensation moving up your arm. Both sensations are normal and pass quickly.

How long does the appointment take?

It varies by scan type. After receiving the tracer, you may wait anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours while it travels to the target organ. The imaging itself typically takes 20 to 45 minutes. Our scheduling team will give you a full time estimate for your specific exam when you book.

Can I leave between the injection and the scan?

For scans with longer waiting periods, such as bone scans, yes — you can typically leave the facility after the tracer injection and return when it is time to image. Your technologist will confirm whether this applies to your exam and give you a return time.

What if I am claustrophobic?

The GE NM 830 uses an open table design — the detectors never enclose you. Most patients who expected to feel confined find the experience far more comfortable than anticipated. If you have significant claustrophobia, mention it when you schedule and discuss anti-anxiety medication options with your physician beforehand.

I am breastfeeding. What do I need to know?

Some tracers can pass into breast milk in small amounts. Depending on your scan type, you may need to pause breastfeeding for a period after your appointment. Consider pumping and storing milk before your scan. Your technologist will give you specific guidance when you schedule.

Do I need any special precautions after my scan?

For most scans, minimal precautions apply. Drink extra water for 24 hours to help flush the tracer. When using the restroom, put the lid down and flush immediately as a routine precaution. You can resume normal activities right away unless your physician advises otherwise.