Patient Preparation 

Patient Exam Preps

Below is a list of procedure preparations to help ensure the greatest accuracy and quickest appointment time. Please review the recommended preparations for your exam – failure to follow these guidelines could delay or require postponement of your test. 

If you take prescribed medication, you may continue to take it on schedule with a small amount of water unless instructed otherwise by your doctor or RA care team member.

We Work With Insurance, High-Deductible and Self-Pay Plans

SPECIAL PROCEDURES

Please call for instructions on how to prepare for special procedures.

CT

If you have any prior imaging studies at another facility, please bring them with you at the time of your appointment.  Having prior imaging studies can many times be essential to making the correct diagnosis and prevent further work-up of findings.

Prior to arriving at our facility, you will receive specific instructions from one of our employees if any fasting or other prep is needed. Some studies, like a non-contrast head or chest CT require no prep or fasting while other studies obtained with contrast or of the abdomen may need you to be fasting. If you have a question, please call the imaging center.

Prior to examination, please inform our technologist if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.  Depending on the clinical indication, we may need to alter your examination.

Please inform the scheduler (prior to arrival) or the technologist (at time of examination) if you have had any prior reactions to iodinated contrast material.  Depending on the prior reaction, a steroid prep or an alternative examination may be recommended. Please note that an “allergy” to shellfish is not a contraindication to receiving IV contrast material.

CT ABDOMEN/PELVIS

DO NOT EAT or DRINK four (4) hours before exam. May drink water up to appointment time.

CT COLONOGRAPHY

Please call for special instructions on how to prepare for this test.  

FLUOROSCOPY/ABDOMEN STUDIES

Your doctor will inform you of the important preparation necessary for this exam. You can also call the Imaging Center where your study will be performed, and a technologist will advise you of the proper steps toward a successful exam.

Since the tests use x-rays, the technologist will ask females of childbearing age whether there is any chance they are pregnant.

Be sure to tell your doctor and imaging center staff about any possible allergies to iodine or x-ray contrast prior to scheduling the procedure.

Upper GI, UGI & Small Bowel, Small Bowel Only:

If your exam is scheduled for the morning, DO NOT EAT or DRINK after midnight of the night before your exam.

If your exam is in the afternoon, you may have a light breakfast, but DO NOT EAT or DRINK at least 4 hours before your exam.

Small Bowel will take up to four (4) hours to complete.

Barium Enema, IVP:

Begin clear liquid diet at 12:00 Noon the day before your exam and drink one bottle of Magnesium Citrate. At 6:00 p.m. that same day, drink another bottle of Magnesium Citrate and take 2 Dulcolax tablets. At 10:00 p.m. the evening before your test, take 2 more Dulcolax tablets. Try to drink one eight ounce glass of water each hour from noon to bedtime. These items can be purchased over the counter at any pharmacy.

Be sure to tell your doctor and imaging center staff about any possible allergies to iodine or x-ray contrast prior to scheduling the procedure.

MRCP

DO NOT EAT or DRINK four (4) hours before exam.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE STUDIES

Most nuclear medicine studies require specific instructions and can vary significantly depending on the procedure.  You will receive specific instruction for your examination by one of our schedulers or nuclear medicine technologists.  If you are unsure of what to do prior to your exam, please give our imaging centers a call and we will review all instructions.

(HIDA) Hepatobiliary Scan or Gastric Emptying Study:

DO NOT EAT or DRINK six (6) hours before exam.

Bone Scan:

NO PREP – 2 part study – (1) receive an injection, (2) return to center 2 to 4 hours later for remainder of exam.

Thyroid Uptake Scan, Cardiac Study:

Please call for instructions on how to prepare for this test.

I-123 MIBG Scan:

Your Doctor will prescribe a medication regiment for 1 week prior to the exam. Please consult your physician for more details.

FDG/PET Tumor Localization:

DO NOT EAT or DRINK anything except water and medication for six (6) hours before exam. ABSOLUTELY NO SUGAR OR ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER for 24 HRS. DIABETIC PATIENTS—PLEASE CALL FOR ADDITIONAL MEDICATION AND DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS.

PET/CT

Whole Body FDG PET/CT
Prior to your appointment, you will be contacted by one of our employees to review all of the steps necessary to make sure your examination is of the highest quality.   The following are typical instructions for whole body FDG PET/CT imaging:

– Avoid vigorous exercise 48 hours prior to the examination.
– Reduce carbohydrate intake (breads, pastas, fruits, fruit juices) 24 hours prior to the examination.
– Refrain from caffeine, sugar or artificial sweeteners.
– Drink only water 6 hours prior to your examination.
– If you are a diabetic patient, you will be given more detailed instructions to follow.

NaF (Sodium Fluoride) PET/CT Bone Scan
There are no dietary or activity restrictions prior to your examination. Patients may eat, drink, and take any medications as needed.

– Avoid vigorous exercise 48 hours prior to the examination.
– Reduce carbohydrate intake (breads, pastas, fruits, fruit juices) 24 hours prior to the examination.
– Refrain from caffeine, sugar or artificial sweeteners.
– Drink only water 6 hours prior to your examination.
– If you are a diabetic patient, you will be given more detailed instructions to follow.

NaF (Sodium Fluoride) PET/CT Bone Scan
There are no dietary or activity restrictions prior to your examination. Patients may eat, drink, and take any medications as needed.

– Avoid vigorous exercise 48 hours prior to the examination.
– Reduce carbohydrate intake (breads, pastas, fruits, fruit juices) 24 hours prior to the examination.
– Refrain from caffeine, sugar or artificial sweeteners.
– Drink only water 6 hours prior to your examination.
– If you are a diabetic patient, you will be given more detailed instructions to follow.

NaF (Sodium Fluoride) PET/CT Bone Scan
There are no dietary or activity restrictions prior to your examination. Patients may eat, drink, and take any medications as needed.

– Avoid vigorous exercise 48 hours prior to the examination.
– Reduce carbohydrate intake (breads, pastas, fruits, fruit juices) 24 hours prior to the examination.
– Refrain from caffeine, sugar or artificial sweeteners.
– Drink only water 6 hours prior to your examination.
– If you are a diabetic patient, you will be given more detailed instructions to follow.

NaF (Sodium Fluoride) PET/CT Bone Scan
There are no dietary or activity restrictions prior to your examination. Patients may eat, drink, and take any medications as needed.

ULTRASOUND STUDIES

Abdomen, Gallbladder:

DO NOT EAT or DRINK anything six (6) hours before exam. CHILDREN – Four (4) hours fasting

PELVIC Ultrasound:

EMPTY your bladder two (2) hours before your exam time. One (1) hour prior to your exam time, drink at least 32 ounces of fluid before arriving for this exam. Bladder must be FULL for this exam. Do NOT urinate until after your exam. No fasting is necessary.

Due to the wide variety of ultrasound procedures, examination prep varies greatly. You will receive specific instructions by one of our employees prior to arrival.