Providing comfort & clarity when you need it most
At Evolution Imaging, we understand that getting an MRI can be stressful or even overwhelming for some patients. Whether it's due to anxiety, claustrophobia, chronic pain, or difficulty staying still, we're here to help. That's why we proudly offer Sedation MRI services—providing a more comfortable, calm, and stress-free experience while still delivering high-quality diagnostic imaging.
Why Choose Sedation MRI?
Sedation can make a world of difference for patients who might otherwise avoid or struggle through a traditional MRI. Here’s how:
Reduced Anxiety
For those who experience claustrophobia or anxiety, sedation helps promote relaxation throughout the exam.
Enhanced Comfort
Muscle tension and restlessness are minimized, helping you stay calm and still during longer or multiple scans.
Clearer Images
Motion affects image quality. Sedation helps reduce movement, which means more accurate diagnostic results for your care team.
Helpful for Certain Patient Populations
If you’ve had difficulty completing an MRI in the past, sedation can ensure the imaging gets done—effectively and efficiently.
Higher Success Rate
If you’ve had difficulty completing an MRI in the past, sedation can ensure the imaging gets done—effectively and efficiently.
What to Expect
Before your appointment, our experienced anesthesia team will review your medical history and work with you to determine if sedation is right for you. On the day of your scan:
You’ll be monitored closely by a licensed anesthesia provider throughout the entire procedure.
You’ll be made as comfortable as possible, with safety as our top priority.
You’ll wake up shortly after your scan is complete, and your care team will provide post-scan instructions and recovery guidance.
Our anesthesia services are provided in partnership with OAS Anesthesia, a trusted local team known for excellence in outpatient care.
Sedation MRI Patient Instructions
A deposit is required to secure this appointment. This is non-refundable if Evolution Imaging is not notified of a need to cancel or reschedule the appointment at least 24 hours (business hours) prior to the procedure.
All paperwork must be completed and returned to Evolution Imaging at least 24 hours prior to your appointment.
If the patient is less than 18 years of age, they must not attend school or daycare as they need to be supervised by their parent or guardian that they do not consume food or water at least 3 hours prior to their appointment time.
No solid food or milk products after midnight the night before your appointment.
Clear liquids are acceptable up to three hours prior to your appointment. Clear liquids include water, light colored Gatorade, 7-up, ginger ale, or apple juice.
A responsible adult 18 years of age or older must accompany and stay with you throughout the procedure.
Wear short sleeves and loose-fitting clothing.
No metal in your clothing including belts, bra clasps / adjustable straps, or snaps.
No jewelry or make-up.
Remove contact lenses.
Remove any dental devices not secured.
Remove hearing aids.
Arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. (You will receive a text reminder but please disregard the arrival time in that message if it is different than 45 minutes prior to your appointment.)
Evolution Imaging is located at 817 W. Covell, Edmond, OK 73034.
FAQs
We offer sedation services for children (ages 2–17) and adults undergoing MRI scans. Sedation can help reduce anxiety, minimize movement, and ensure accurate imaging in a safe and controlled environment.
Below are answers to the most common questions we receive.
Before the Procedure
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MRI scans require complete stillness for accurate results. For young children and some adults, sedation is necessary to reduce movement and anxiety, helping to complete the scan safely and comfortably.
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A member of our anesthesia team will review the patient’s medical history, allergies, medications, and previous experiences with sedation. This ensures a personalized and safe plan.
We take great pride in our team-based approach:
The MRI technologist manages all MRI-specific screening and safety requirements.
Our anesthesia team is solely responsible for anesthesia evaluation and sedation safety.
Each specialist ensures that care is delivered with precision, safety, and expertise.
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You’ll receive specific instructions, but general guidelines include:
No solid food for 6–8 hours before the appointment.
Clear liquids (water, apple juice, etc.) are allowed up to 3 hours prior.
These instructions must be followed exactly to avoid delays or cancellations.
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Typically, sedation medications are not administered at home. If needed, we will provide instructions and tell you what side effects to watch for.
Important:
Do not consume any recreational drugs, alcohol, or sedating medications (unless prescribed) within 24 hours before your visit. These substances can interfere with anesthesia and may increase the risk of complications. If there’s a history of substance use, please notify our team beforehand. -
Sedation is performed by Dr. Robert Christensen and the expert team at Oklahoma Anesthesia Specialists (OAS). They are highly trained in outpatient anesthesia for both children and adults. Learn more at oas-ok.com
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Yes. Our team members are trained in life support and emergency protocols. All training is maintained and regularly updated to ensure the highest standards of safety.
During the Procedure
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The type of sedation depends on the patient’s age, medical history, and comfort level. Options include:
Moderate sedation – Drowsy but responsive
Deep sedation or general anesthesia – Fully asleep and unaware
We provide sedation for:
Children (ages 2–17)
Adults (18 and older)
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Local anesthesia is rarely needed for an MRI unless a contrast injection or other minor intervention is required. If so, we’ll explain this in advance.
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Patients are continuously monitored by our anesthesia team before, during, and after the procedure. We track:
Heart rate
Oxygen saturation
Breathing
Blood pressure
This monitoring ensures real-time safety at every step.
After the Procedure
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After the scan, the patient will be moved to a recovery area for observation until they are fully awake and stable. Most people go home the same day. Drowsiness, nausea, or mild confusion is normal and short-lived.
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Yes. You will receive verbal recovery instructions, including emergency contact information. Please follow all guidance closely, and if you or your child experience difficulty breathing or any signs of a medical emergency, call 911 immediately before contacting our team.
Schedule Your Sedation MRI Today
At Evolution Imaging, we prioritize your comfort, safety, and diagnostic accuracy. Contact us today to book your Sedation MRI appointment and experience imaging in a whole new way.
