Silicon Valley MRI & CT Center

What are all the complaints about?
Yesterday my new Los Gatos-​based doc scheduled me for a CT scan here. I’ve had a lot of imaging done at Stanford and UCSF over the last few years. Those well-​funded facilities are fantastic. But so is this one. Yes, the building is smaller, but everything fits. Note to critics of the location: Real estate space is kind of expensive around here. The waiting room easily accommodates 10 people. Yes, the office is in the back of the building, not the front… figure it out. This entrance faces out to a big parking lot. Very pleasant staff. My appt. was in the afternoon, and I was seen a bit early.
You may write these awful reviews because you’re in pain and frustrated with our crazy healthcare system. But those things are not this center’s fault. I’m grateful for such a pleasant experience during my own frustrating time of life.

This place was recommended by a doctor I actually like a lot. But there’s a problem. Any number of physicians’ groups own surgery centers, scan centers and the like, so it’s in their financial interest to refer to these places (although I’m not privy to this kind of information, so that may not explain the creepiness of this experience). Like some other reviewers I never made it to the actual scan.
Arriving at the address, I couldn’t get in. There’s a sign in front, but no door – only one to a children’s center. Luckily, some helpful parents told me to go around to the back, where there’s a small door that leads to a tiny waiting room; at this point we’re only one step away from needing a password to get into a speakeasy, or so it felt. It was pretty strange. A lot of apprehensive people were crowded in there, along with a cockroach to keep us company.
Debriefing the lady at the front desk, I discovered the real reason I have no use for this place (I could have dealt with the creep factor and the roach): you pay for a scan, but you don’t get a scan in return. WTF. It’s like paying for a car and getting a tire instead.
Here’s the story: some doctors (I assume they’re the ones who know you well and have seen your scans before) are apparently satisfied with just the radiologist’s overview of the results – they don’t feel they need the actual pictures. Well, I can assure you that the doctor I was seeing wanted real images of my real insides – not some radiologist’s summary of them.
I don’t know, maybe you can pay extra and actually get the scans you just paid for. I didn’t stick around to find out. I suggest going to a real diagnostic imaging center instead – that way you get a (real) diagnostic image.

I’m writing a 1-​star review and I haven’t even been there. Have called them about 33 times to make an appointment. Didn’t receive doctor’s orders. Fine. «We’ll call you back when we get them.»
«Hello, you said you’d call me back. Did you receive the orders?»
«Yes we did. But there are some people here at the office. Can I call you back?»
Never mind that I needed to make an appointment for that same week.
Never got a call back. Called them again, went to voicemail. Why bother.
Now, keep in mind, that if this was the auto sales industry or, better yet, ANY OTHER INDUSTRY, I’d be gone. But, as it stands, it’s the captive medical industry, which doesn’t experience the same winds that affect other customer service-​oriented industries. Basically, this 1-​star review on Unilocal!will give the workers there a good laugh, and then they’ll carry about their merry ways.

I went to Silicon Valley MRI &CT for both an MRI and X-​Ray. I had the BEST experience here. The MRI tech was really professional, patient and helpful. I was seen on time, which is important to me, and the ladies at the front desk were kind & professional. I HIGHLY recommend Silicon Valley MRI and CT if you ever need to get these things done.

Unfortunately, I have to echo other reviewers. The front office and the technician were super nice, but the office itself is very stuffy and stinky. As for the service, this is the same office that somehow messed up my daughter’s chest image. I didn’t find out until the doctor called to tell me that it appeared that, according to her ex ray, her organs were on the opposite side of her body. It only took a quick trip to the doctor to verify that it wasn’t true. Unneeded stress caused for our family. I will request a different location next time I need imaging services.

Avoid this place. Imaging seems okay, but they are incompetent about all else. They send the wrong images, say they are resending them and they do not. Waste of time.

You really feel like a number here rather than a patient. I don’t recommend this place — particularly since getting an MRI can be a rather nerve-​wrecking experience in itself. The lady technician is rather cold. I had to basically tell her to slow down and give me some time to get on the table as I was a little nervous. Also, make sure you know specifically what test you are coming in for. Had I not asked, I would have not received the correct test that my doctor ordered. I cannot express enough how important it is to be a pro-​active patient these days. And the cold, non-​patient friendly environment is certainly no treat here. The cookies mentioned in the other reviews mean nothing to me if you have no compassion or human connection with your patients. It doesn’t take much to connect with patients. Thank god my meditation /​breathing practices helped me get through this appointment.

I have gone here several times now unfortunately for needed MRI’s.It’s real clean efficient and I was a pain for the guy who wanted to inject me with dye while strapped down for a lengthy imaging-​LOL. He was ok with my fuss and helpful. I would and probably will go here again and recommend for service! :).I overpaid my co-​pay and they sent me a refund check back! Good people!.Stop tempting me with a tray of cookies laying in th e lobby! :)

SV MRI was fine but the cost for an XRAY of a leg was $ 184 for 2 views. Pretty steep price. I’d shop around to be prepared for next time.

Came here for an x-​ray. Waited for over an hour before I finally left out of frustration. People that showed up for other services got to skip ahead of me. Maybe this is the wrong place to go to for a simple x-​ray.

I went here for my MRI very nice and welcoming feel but didn’t get the same feel from workers
The lady who did my MRI wasn’t to friendly it was just a line of work. In out next pt in out next pt…

I had an MRI here…
My issue is with the billing department. The facility knew my injury was work related; therefore a Workman’s Comp case. Silicon Valley Imaging continued to bill me instead of forwarding bills to my Workman’s Comp case, even after informing them again of the situation. SVI screwed my credit. You suck SVI.

Tomb Of The Unknown Patient…
Pros: Helpful technicians. Rapid response for exams.
Cons: Small waiting room
Suggestion To Patients: Make appointments early in the morning to minimize waiting
Suggestion To The Owner: Find a bigger location. Add another MRI machine. Expand the waiting room. Like when giving blood, give stickers to patients saying «I SURVIVED MY MRI»
Stars:
— Overall: 5
— Ability to Get an Appt: 5
— Office Hours: 5
— Reception: 4
— MRI Technician: 5
— Process: 0 (it’s not their fault)
— Making the Best of a Bad Situation: 5
— Location: 5
— Parking: 5
— Waiting Room: 3
— Atmosphere: 4 (a semi-​festive morgue)
There are some things in life you wish you knew less about. MRI machines are one. For quite some time, I’ve become a «frequent flier» in many of those facilities around the South Bay. My problems with stenosis of the cervical spine require regular testing to make sure conditions haven’t deteriorated to the point where surgery must be considered. So, despite a hideous case of claustrophobia which would cause any self-​respecting vampire to blush in his coffin, I’ve climbed onto those cold conveyer belts of hell to be slid inside a closed MRI contraption at least once a year for the past 10 years. It isn’t much fun, but there’s little choice in the matter.
During the last few months of 2011, I began to feel painful twinges in my lower back. Not a good sign. I continued to exercise 4 times a week at the gym in the same careful manner I’ve tried to use ever since my neck acted up around 2001. It got better… then worse. By early January 2012, the periodic pain grew so intense I couldn’t walk without wincing. I tried to see my neurosurgeon, but the «scheduler» said the first appointment was in 5 weeks. I told her I could be dead by that time. She called back the next day with an opening 4 weeks away in mid February. I kept it and called 2 of my other doctors (yes…I seem to visit a lot of them) who saw me within a few days. Both advised getting an MRI ASAP.
Silicon Valley MRI was one of the places I used for examination of my neck between 2006 – 2008. There’s a fairly big sign on the west side of Los Gatos Blvd across the street from the shopping center with Trader Joe’s, but the entrance is actually in a corner behind the building where there’s plenty of parking. The waiting room is rather small and gets crowded quite quickly, so I’ve had the best luck with early appointments around 730 or 8 AM.
The reception staff is helpful… if not overly friendly… but first time visitors should be prepared to complete a fair amount of paperwork. After this most recent MRI, I called the following day to see if a copy of my report was ready for pick up. It was and the staffer offered to include a CD of the films for my doctors to view. That’s a fast turnaround and good service.
The MRI itself went well. Years ago I resigned myself to making the best of a bad… very bad… situation. I changed from my pants into medical shorts (sounds like a 10 minute movie on doctors), but was allowed to keep my shirt and socks. Rooms with MRI or CAT Scan equipment are kept in the deep freeze like a morgue, so when the technician offered a blanket I readily accepted. Since my claustrophobia was well documented, she also had a soft cloth to place across my eyes. Nice touch. And, because noise associated with an MRI is known to puncture ear drums — or so it seems — she asked if I wanted cotton plugs. I declined at first, but when the scan began and the near constant explosion of electronic beams vibrated through my head, I pressed the «emergency ball» given to all patients and gently said «GIMME THOSE PLUGS».
By the way, for claustrophobic Unilocalers (I mean people with a fear of closed spaces) who might need an MRI, imagine this. You’ve got to lie down on a slab the temperature of ice… inside a small round tube… with fireworks like the 4^th of July going off by your ear… and remain perfectly still («now don’t move a muscle») for 30 – 60 minutes. The only way I’ve survived is through medication (legal), knowing the importance of an accurate scan and fear of having to do it again. After an MRI, you can practically qualify for guard duty by Buckingham Palace. Nothing will faze you or even cause a twitch («oh sorry, we’ve got to redo that last 5 minute pass»)
Bottom line — For doing their best under horrible circumstances… at least to this patient… I’ve got to award 5 stars to Silicon Valley MRI.

First they were fine when it came to the scan. No issues. But I got rescheduled once because the scanner had a dr. appt. and then they tried to reschedule again. the office did not seem organized and they also seemed a bit confused.
So service was fine but fron desk needs help

You can’t go wrong with anyplace in Los Gatos (fancy fancy). Heather, the front desk person, is a sweetheart and I was in and out in 1 hour. Scans are reviewed and sent to your referring provider, within 2 days. I also appreciated the headphones with music and the MRI tech letting me know the countdown. If you haven’t had one, they are so incredibly loud, your body part of interest is positioned with braces and doo dads so you can not even move, you have to stay very still, and if I had to have a brain MRI, I would probably need a Valium to get through it.

I’ve found myself in a lot of doctors’ offices and doing a lot of medical tests of late. I came here on my specialist’s orders to get an MRI with contrast. The receptionists are very professional and understanding. I was concerned about the cost, and they were willing to talk me through costs for paying out of pocket v. going through insurance. Their billing lady was also very nice; she actually contacted my insurance to find out the cost so I could do the comparison, all before I scheduled my appointment.
As with all doctors’ offices, the earlier you schedule your appointment, the better off you are time wise. As the day goes on, the delays tend to accumulate. The first appointment here starts around 7:30am!
The actual MRI was a bit nerve wracking, held in a room that is really cold, probably for the sake of the machine. The technician was kind enough to provide me with a blanket, and she also was very nice about explaining the whole process, the noises, and the dye that had to be injected. Getting medical tests done is never a fun process, but some places make it easier on the patient than others. This is one of those places.
Oh, also the picture is quite indicative of their waiting area. There is a bowl of snacks for those patients who get hungry as they wait. :o)

Very professional. Understands situation well. very nice and kind people works here.