Diagnostic Imaging in Santo Domingo

Diagnostic imaging, also known as medical imaging, describes a variety of techniques to look inside the body to diagnose the cause of an injury or illness, as well as to find any signs of a health condition. It is also used to see how well your body responds to treatment for an illness or fracture. 

Many diagnostic imaging tests are noninvasive and painless. Some tests use a small amount of radiation exposure. Some require you to remain still inside a machine for a long time, which may cause little discomfort. 

Other diagnostic tests involve the insertion of a small camera attached to a thin, long tube (often referred to as a “scope”) into your body. These types of diagnostic tests are invasive and require anesthesia.

Some of the most common types of diagnostic imaging tests are as follows:

• X-ray is among the most well-known diagnostic imaging tests. It generates images that allow your doctor to see if there is any damage or injury to the bones.
• Computed tomography (CT) scan, also known as “cat scan,” is a test that combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles. It is often used to quickly examine people who could have internal injuries. It can help doctors evaluate the brain, spine, abdomen, chest, and neck.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a powerful magnet to obtain an image of the body instead of radiation. It is most commonly used to examine spinal cord and brain anomalies, joint abnormalities, and tumors.
• Ultrasound, also known as sonography, uses high-frequency waves to create images of the inside of the body. It is most commonly used to examine a fetus during pregnancy. However, it can also be used to examine a wide range of body parts, including the heart, joints, and bladder.
• Mammography is a type of x-ray image of the breast. It can be used to check for early breast cancer signs that cannot be felt through the use of a low-dose x-ray.
• A diagnostic biopsy is the main method doctors use to diagnose most types of cancer. It involves the removal of a piece of tissue or cell sample to be analyzed in a laboratory.

• Endoscopy, laparoscopy, and colposcopy involve the insertion of a thin, flexible scope with a video camera attached to its end through a passageway or bodily opening to look at the inside of a particular organ, such as the colon or the lungs.

How Long Should I Stay in Santo Domingo?

You can usually leave the hospital straight away after diagnostic imaging tests. However, it is advisable that you stay in Santo Domingo for 5 to 7 days to wait for the results. Once the results are ready, you will have to attend a follow-up appointment where your doctor explains the results and discuss the treatment plan, if needed.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Most diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound and CT scan, do not require any recovery time. However, you may need to take one or two days off work and avoid strenuous activities for several days after some types of diagnostic biopsy, endoscopy, laparoscopy, and colposcopy.

What Aftercare is Required?

There is usually no special aftercare or restrictions after diagnostic imaging tests. You may be advised to drink plenty of water immediately after, especially if contrast was used. If the procedure is invasive, your doctor will give you detailed instructions on how to care for the wounds. 

What's the Success Rate?

Diagnostic imaging tests have high success and accuracy rates. The continuous improvement and advancement of diagnostic imaging technology have transformed healthcare, allowing for earlier diagnosis of many medical conditions, reduces the need for invasive processes. The side effects of diagnostic imaging tests are very minimal, such as slight discomfort, pain, swelling, and bruising.

Are there Alternatives?

There are no alternatives to diagnostic imaging. It is vital for the diagnosis of medical conditions, allowing your doctor to decide the best treatment or management plan.

Diagnostic Imaging in and around Santo Domingo

About Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic and is the most modern and largest metropolis in the Caribbean. The city is the cultural, political, financial, industrial, and commercial center of the Dominican Republic. Founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1496, Santo Domingo is the oldest styled European City in the Americas. The city has everything that will make any visit worthwhile, from large shopping malls, historical architecture, seaside resorts, to a vibrant nightlife.

Over the last several years, medical tourism in Santo Domingo has been growing steadily. The city contributed to the Dominican Republic’s medical tourism average income of US$265.0 million in 2018. The most popular procedures in Santo Domingo are cosmetic and plastic surgery, dental surgery, cardiology, and heart surgery. Santo Domingo has everything a medical tourist could ask for, including:

• Hospitals and wellness centers governed by international standards.
• The doctors and paramedical staff are well-qualified and studied in the best medical schools from the U.S. and Europe.
• Cost-effective medical treatments with modern technology.
• A wide range of medical treatments to choose from.
• Fast, immediate care without waiting lists.
• The ideal climate and environment for recovery.

Popular Areas in Santo Domingo

Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Santo Domingo has a rich historical and cultural heritage. The Colonial City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will amaze tourists with its beautiful architecture and rich history. The neighborhood consists of colonial buildings turned into shops, hotels, museums, and cafés. History fans can enjoy the oldest standing cathedral in the Western hemisphere: Catedral Primada de América.

Mercado Modelo is shopping heaven on Avenida Mella on the outskirts of Colonial City. Tourists will find an indoor maze of small shops offering local crafts, treats, and specialties.

Tourists who want to indulge in nature can go to Jardín Botánico Nacional de Santo Domingo as the gardens are filled with native plants and offer an excellent insight into the natural flora of Santo Domingo, the largest botanical gardens in the Caribbean. The botanical gardens are also home to hundreds of different kinds of orchids.

Santo Domingo has many wonderful beaches since the city’s waterside stretches along the Caribbean Sea. Tourists can go to Playa Najayo or Playa Juan Dolio for picturesque views or enjoy the sparkling blue water. The sunsets are particularly breathtaking.

Weather and Climate in Santo Domingo

The city enjoys a tropical climate that sees warm and humid weather all year long. The wet season (rainy season) starts from May to November, the average temperature on the wet season is around 22 - 31°C with the humidity slightly higher.

December to April is the best time to visit Santo Domingo since it is the dry season. The average temperature ranges between 19°C to 29°C. Showers may occur but they usually do not last long. Tourists should avoid traveling to Santo Domingo during Hurricane Season which runs from August to October.

Getting Around in Santo Domingo

There are two airports in Santo Domingo. The main airport is Las Américas International Airport (also known as Santo Domingo Airport), located Punta Caucedo and Boca Chica, 32km east of the city. This airport has international connections from North America, South America, and Central America to Europe. The airport serves many major airlines such as Delta, Emirates, and American Airlines. Las Américas International Airport also serves budget airlines such as JetBlue. La Isabela International Airport primarily serves domestic flights and some international flights to other Caribbean Islands. The airport is the major hub for Dominican airlines that operates small aircraft.

To get into the city from the airports, tourists can choose taxi, airport shuttle, public bus, shared van, or car rental. Traveling by taxi can get a bit more expensive although it is a good transportation option. The cost to Colonial City from Las Américas International Airport is around US$40. The cheaper option is to ride the public bus (Guagua), the buses depart to Parque Enriquillo in the city center and to Boca Chica.

Getting around in Santo Domingo is fairly easy. To get the most of Colonial City, walking is the best way since they offer plenty of pedestrian attractions, but walking along streets outside Colonial City can be quite challenging.

Taxis in Santo Domingo don’t use meters, tourists have to agree on the fare in advance. The standard fare is around RD$250. It is best not to take any unmarked taxi because it could be dangerous. Tourists usually need to call a dispatcher to have a taxi sent to their location, most businesses and hotels will gladly call a taxi for tourists and this is the safest option.

Tourists can take Públicos, minivans that follow a predetermined route but stops wherever someone flags them down. The fare usual fare is RD$25. Tourists can also take the Santo Domingo Metro, rides cost around RD$15, a contactless card can be purchased to use the metro.

Buses are also available from 6.30 am to 9.30 pm and cost around RD$25, the bus stops are marked with a sign and a word parade which means stop, the routes tend to follow major streets.

Tourists Visas in Santo Domingo

Dominic Republic exempts nationals from 107 countries including the US, Canada, most South American countries, the European Union, and several other countries from Asia and Africa from obtaining a tourist visa. A passport valid for at least six months is required to enter the country.

Visitors need to apply for a tourist card that can be obtained at the Dominican Consulates or directly upon arrival at the airports in the Dominican Republic. The tourist card costs US$10 and is valid for 30 days. Tourists who want to extend their visit will have to go to the offices of Direccion General de Migracion and pay for an extension.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The local currency in Santo Domingo is the Dominican Peso (RD$). US$ 1 is equivalent to RD$47. The notes are printed in a variety of colors although some colors are very similar to each other.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found across Santo Domingo. The best and safest way to obtain Dominican pesos is by ATMs. Credit and debit cards (mostly Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in cities, but some business adds a surcharge for credit card purchases. Tipping is generally not expected as 10% to 20% is mostly added to the total bill. Tourists should tip tour guides.
3. Local Language: The Dominican Republic is a Multilanguage nation. However, Spanish is the official language. Other commonly spoken languages in Santo Domingo are Dominican Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Samana English. English is not widely spoken but there are English speaking staff and guides within the tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Roman Catholic Christianity is the major religion in Santo Domingo. Other religions including Protestant Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism are also freely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: Santo Domingo celebrates Christian holidays such as Good Friday and Christmas Day. The city hosts a carnival at the end of February and the beginning of March, the international book fair is in April, as well as a merengue festival in July.