Accepted Requisitions: Can I Use a Hospital Form at a Community Clinic?

It is a very common scenario: Your family doctor hands you a piece of paper for an ultrasound or X-ray. You get to your car, look at the form, and see a large logo at the top for "Hospital".

 

Naturally, you assume you have to go there. You call the number on the paper, only to find out they are booking three weeks out or their hours don't work for your schedule.

 

You might be wondering: "Can I take this form somewhere else? Or do I need to go back to my doctor for a new one?"

 

The answer is one of the best-kept secrets in Ontario healthcare: Yes, you can take that form anywhere.

 

The "Portable Requisition" Rule

In Ontario, a medical requisition (referral) is a legal order from a physician to perform a specific test. It is not a contract with a specific building.

 

As long as the form contains the following three things, Frontier Diagnostics (and virtually any other licensed imaging centre) can accept it:

1. Your Name and Health Card info.

2. The Doctor’s Name and Signature.

3. The Name of the Test (e.g., "Left Shoulder X-Ray").

 

It does not matter if the paper has a different logo, a different address, or even a different city listed on it. The logo is just letterhead; the order is what matters.

 

Why Did My Doctor Use That Specific Form?

If you can go anywhere, why did your doctor give you a form for a specific place?

 

Usually, it is just a matter of habit or software.

• Default Settings: Many Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems automatically print the default requisition stored in the computer.

• Habit: Your doctor might just grab the pad of paper closest to their desk.

• Convenience: Sometimes they suggest a location because it is close to their office, not necessarily because it is the fastest or best option for you.

 

Why Bring Your Form to Frontier Diagnostics?

If you have a form for a hospital or a busy downtown clinic, why should you bring it to us instead?

• Faster Appointments: Hospitals must prioritize emergency cases. As a dedicated community clinic, we don't have an ER queue, meaning we can often scan you days (or weeks) sooner.

• The Same Results: We send our reports to your doctor just as quickly (often faster) as the hospital does. Your doctor gets the answers they need, regardless of where the pictures were taken.

 

The Exceptions: When You Must Go to the Hospital

While X-Ray, Ultrasound, Mammography, and Bone Density forms are almost always portable, there are a few exceptions where you generally must go to a hospital:

1. CT Scans and MRIs: These are specialized, high-cost tests that are typically only performed in hospitals in Ontario.

2. Interventional Procedures: Complex biopsies or fluid drainages are often best suited for a hospital setting.

3. Specific Hospital Programs: If you are part of a specific cancer clinic or pre-operative program, they may want their own internal team to do the imaging.

 

The Bottom Line

You have the right to choose your healthcare provider. If you are holding a requisition form for an X-ray or Ultrasound in Guelph, you are not stuck with the wait time or location listed on the paper.

 

Bring your form to Frontier Diagnostics. We accept all valid Ontario requisitions, regardless of the logo at the top.

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​This blog is for general information only and isn’t intended to be medical advice. Please consult a healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your own health.