Located in downtown Fairbanks, Tanana Valley Clinic's 1st Care Center is a walk-in medical center. Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 1st Care is a convenient choice for immediate and after hours care.  1st Care offers a full complement of lab testing and X-Ray services available during all hours, with access to CT and US services during the weekdays. 

Diagnostic x-rays help diagnose injuries to joints and bones, such as fractures, diseases of the chest, such as pneumonia or congestive heart failure, and diseases of the abdomen, such as kidney stones. Foundation Health Partners provides the most advanced X-ray imaging available.

Plain Film

Digital radiography (DR) is an advanced form of x-ray which produces a digital radiographic image instantly on a computer. This technique uses x-ray sensitive plates to capture data during examination, which is immediately transferred to a computer without the use of a cassette. 

Advantages of digital radiography over conventional film:

• Decreased radiation exposure
• Increased image quality
• Cost savings
• Faster processing time
• The ability to apply special image processing techniques that enhance overall display quality of the image.

CT or Computed Tomography refers to images produced by an x-ray tube that rotates around the body. The resulting images can be digitally “stacked” together, providing different views of the body and even 3D images.  

CT gives more detailed information than plain X-rays, and are used to view and diagnose many things including, but not limited to:

• Fractures for surgical planning  
• Cancer diagnosis or follow up during and after treatment 
• Locate infections
• Confirm blood clots
• Detect internal injuries and bleeding after trauma 

Some CT exams include an injection of contrast to help highlight the areas of your body being examined. The iodinated contrast material is injected into an IV in your arm or PowerPort and highlights your blood vessels and internal organs. The IV contrast can give the radiologist much more information to make an accurate diagnosis.  

When imaging your intestines you may also be asked to drink water or oral contrast to assist with expanding your intestines for a better look inside. The type of contrast depends on the reason you are having the CT exam and is determined by your physician and the radiologist.