Ultrasound, Abdominal

• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight. (An 8-hr fast is required prior to the exam.)

Ultrasound, Pelvic

• Drink up to 32 ounces of water one hour prior to the exam to fill the bladder prior to scanning. A full, distended bladder allows the reproductive organs to be visualized.

Ultrasound, Obstetric

• Drink 32 ounces of fluid one hour prior to the exam. Do NOT empty the bladder before the exam

Hysterosonogram

• Schedule one week after menstruation when the uterine lining is thinnest and best determined to be “normal.” The timing of the exam may vary depending on the patient’s symptoms and suspected cause.
• Hysterosonography is not performed during pregnancy

Bone Density

• No calcium supplements 3 hours prior to the exam
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that contains no metal (i.e., zippers, grommets, belts, buttons, etc.)
• Do not schedule a bone density exam within 2 days following a nuclear medicine scan or any x-ray involving intravenous (IV) contrast or barium. A 10-14 day wait is required before undergoing a DEXA bone density scan.
• Because this exam involves low levels of radiation exposure, inform the physician or Radiologic Technologist if there is a possibility the patient is pregnant, may be pregnant, or breastfeeding.

CT Abdomen/Pelvis

• Nothing by mouth 2 hours prior to the exam.
• Patient will need to drink oral contrast (barium) 1 hour prior to the exam (followed by 16 ounces of water if a CT Pelvis is also ordered. Instruct patient not to empty bladder).
• Oral contrast may be picked up at Radiology Group and began at home, or the patient may arrive early to drink it at the imaging center.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Metal objects can affect the image; clothing with zippers and snaps should be avoided.
• Inform the doctor or Radiologic Technologist if there is any possibility the patient is pregnant.
• If the patient has previous scans of the same area being imaged, instruct them to bring the scans with them.  
• Inform the Radiologic Technologist if the patient:
• Has asthma
• Is allergic to any foods or medications
• Is pregnant or breastfeeding
• Is diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)

CT, Pediatric

• If the exam requires intravenous (IV) or oral contrast, the child should not eat or drink 2 hours prior to the exam.
• Dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Metal objects can affect the image; avoid clothing with zippers and snaps.
• If the child is allergic to contrast, consult the imaging center Nurse before the day of the child's exam, (563) 359-3931.
• If available, instruct the child’s parent to bring copies of previous scans to the exam if the scans are of the same area being imaged. (If previous imaging was performed at Genesis, Radiology Group will retrieve the previous scans for you.)
• If your child's exam requires IV or oral contrast, it is important that you inform the Radiologic Technologist before the exam if:
• Your child has asthma
• Is allergic to any foods or medications (especially dye or contrast)
• Is diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)

CT Colonography

• Instruct the patient to pick up a LiquiPrep kit at the imaging center's front office. Use the instructions included in the kit unless directed otherwise.  

Two days prior to the exam:

• For best results, the patient should follow a low fiber/low residue diet. The prep kit will provide a list of permitted foods.

 One day prior to the exam:

• The patient will be instructed to drink a liquid solution to cleanse the bowel. Cleansing the bowel is necessary to remove solid material that would interfere with the exam. It is very important to drink all of the solution and water as instructed.

The day of the exam:

• Wear comfortable clothing
• Nothing by mouth on the day of the exam.
• If the patient takes medications, instruct the patient to use limited amounts of water. (Confirm with the physician regarding these medications.)
• Instruct the patient not to swallow water when brushing their teeth.

Two hours before the exam:

• A suppository will be inserted into the rectum. Bowel evacuation usually follows within 15 to 60 minutes. Patients requiring assistance should have a bedpan, commode or help readily available.

Hysterosalpinogram

• Take two 200 mg Ibuprofen tablets, (i.e., Motrin, Advil, etc) two hours prior to the exam.
• This procedure is performed on day 7, 8, or 9 of the menstrual cycle--with Day 1 being the first day of the cycle. This exam is performed prior to ovulation to assure the patient is not pregnant during the exam
• Inform the physician or Radiologic Technologist if there is any possibility the patient is pregnant.
• Inform the physician or Radiologic Technologist if the patient has (or has had) an active inflammatory condition, chronic pelvic infection, or a history of sexually transmitted diseases. The  physician may choose to treat the patient with an antibiotic.

IVP

• Instruct the patient to use a bowel cleansing LiquiPrep Kit the night before their exam. The kit can be obtained at Radiology Group Imaging Center. Use the instructions included in the kit unless specifically instructed otherwise.
• Do not wear jewelry
• Inform the Radiologic Technologist before the exam if the patient:
• Has asthma
• Is allergic to any foods or medications (especially dye or contrast)
• May be pregnant or breastfeeding
• Is diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)
• Is allergic to IV contrast. Consult the imaging center Nurse before the day of the exam, (563) 359-3931.

Lower GI Tract Exam

• Because the exam involves exposure to radiation, inform the doctor and Radiologic Technologist if there is any possibility the patient is pregnant.
• Instruct the patient to obtain a LiquiPrep kit  from the front desk of Radiology Group Imaging Center. Follow the instructions included in the kit unless specifically instructed otherwise. 

Upper GI Tract Exam

• Because this exam involves exposure to radiation, inform the doctor and Radiologic Technologist if there is any possibility the patient:
• May be pregnant or is breastfeeding.
• Has asthma
• Is allergic to any foods or medications (especially dye or contrast) 
• Is diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin)
• Instruct the patient not to eat or drink anything after midnight before the morning of their exam. No meats, potatoes, or pasta after 7:00 p.m.
• No smoking or chewing gum the day of the exam.

Mammogram

• Refrain from using powders, deodorants, or lotions under the arms or breast area on the day of the exam. Many lotions and deodorants contain aluminum, which can appear as suspicious calcium spots on the mammogram.
• Always inform the doctor or X-ray technologist if there is any possibility the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Instruct the patient not to schedule the mammogram one week prior to the menstrual period if the breasts are usually tender during this time. The best time for a mammogram is one week following the menstrual period.
• Instruct the patient to bring copies of previous mammograms to the appointment. Bring information regarding the location and phone number (if available) of the last mammogram.

MRI

(MRA, Breast, Head, Musculoskeletal, Prostate, Spine)

The MRI Technologist will need to determine if the patient has or had the following:

• Any prosthesis

• Brain, ear, eye, or other surgeries

• Heart pacemaker (or artificial heart valve)

• Implanted devices & catheters (ports, insulin pump, drug infusion device, Swan-Ganz catheter, vascular stent, intrauterine device (IUD) etc.)

• Any metal plates, pins, screws or surgical staples in your body. (In most cases surgical staples, plates, pins are permissible if they have been in place for more than six weeks.)

• Has bullet or shrapnel fragments in the body

• Has ever worked with metal.(i.e., grinding, drilling, welding)

• Has ever had anything specific removed from the eyes

• Allergic to any medications or sedatives

• Is pregnant, or suspect pregnancy

• If you are allergic to IV contrast, please call to talk to our Nurse before the day of your exam, (563) 359-1131.

• Patients will be asked to remove hairpins, jewelry, eyeglasses, hearing aids and any removable dental work.

• To reduce waiting time, instruct patients to bring copies of previous scans if their exam is for the same area being imaged. If previous imaging was performed at Genesis East or Genesis West, Radiology Group will retrieve the previous scans.)

Myelogram

• Because a fluoroscopic x-ray involves exposure to radiation, inform the doctor and Radiologic Technologist if there is any possibility the patient is pregnant of breastfeeding.

The day before the exam:

• Increase fluid intake (unless patient’s fluid intake is restricted for other reasons).

• Certain medications may need to be withheld until after completion of the procedure. The imaging center Nurse will provide instructions several days before the exam.

 The day of the exam:

• Drink clear liquids only. A light breakfast is permitted.
• Instruct the patient to bring a friend or relative to drive them home after the exam.
• Inform the imaging center Nurse before the exam if the patient:
• Has asthma
• Is allergic to any foods or medications (especially dye or contrast)
• Is diabetic and taking Glucophage (metformin) Is allergic to IV contrast. Please call before the day of patient’s exam, (563) 359-3931.

Nuclear Medicine

General Information:

• Doctor’s office needs to ask patient if they are pregnant or breast-feeding.

• No barium studies 72 hours prior to the exam.

Bone Scan (limited, whole body or 3 phase, with or without SPECT)

• Patient must bring pertinent x-rays or information of where prior imaging was performed.
• Patient must not have had any barium study with 72 hours prior to the exam. If patient had CT barium, the exam can be performed.
• On the Order/Reg form, provide authorization for RGIC to take additional x-rays if needed.

 Ceretec White Blood Cell:

• Patient must bring pertinent x-rays or information of where prior imaging was performed.
• If the abdomen or pelvis is the area of interest, verify that the patient has not had a barium study 72 hours prior to their scheduled exam.

 Gastric Emptying:

• No barium studies 72 hours prior to exam.
• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
• Patient must be off motility medications for 3 days prior to the exam.
• Exam lasts 2 ½ hours.

Hepatobiliary / HIDA scan w/ or w/o CCK

• No barium studies 72 hours prior to the exam
• The patient must be off all pain medications (including Demerol or morphine) 6 hours before the exam.
• Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to the exam.

I131 Whole Body uptake and scan

• The patient needs to be off thyroid medication 4 weeks prior to the exam.
• The patient cannot have had any contrast studies performed 6 weeks prior to the exam.
• A TSH level must be faxed to the Radiology Group Imaging Center the day prior to the test.

IVG Scan:

• The patient needs to be in sinus rhythm.
• If also scheduling the patient for a CT, the Nuc Med scan must be performed first. After the NM scan the patient can drink the CT barium.

 Liver Imaging:

• No barium studies 72 hours prior to the exam.

Liver/ Spleen with vascular flow

• No barium studies 72 hours prior to the exam.

Meckels Scan:

• No barium studies 72 hours prior to the exam.
• Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours prior to the exam.

Muga Cardiac Scan:

The patient needs to be in sinus rhythm.If also scheduling patient for a CT, the Nuc Med scan must be performed first. After the NM scan, the patient may drink the CT barium.

 Renal with Lasix:

• Document on the order if the patient is on Lasix.
• Document on the order what blood pressure medications the patient takes.
• Patient is to be well hydrated for the exam.

 Renal with Vascular flow:

• Document blood pressure medications on the order.
• No barium studies 72 hours prior to the study.
• Patient is to be well hydrated for the exam.

Tagged RBC:

• No barium studies 72 hours prior to the study.

Thyroid Uptake and Scan: I123 uptake and scan

• Patient needs to be off thyroid medication 4 weeks prior to the exam.
• The patient cannot have had any contrast 6 weeks prior to the exam.
• If ordering a thyrogen uptake and scan, the patient can continue taking thyroid medication.

PET

• Because a PET scan involves radiation, inform the Technologist if the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Because the radioactive tracer decays quickly and is effective for only a short period of time, instruct the patient to be on time for the exam and to receive the tracer at the scheduled time.
• The patient’s physician should instruct the patient regarding the use of medications before the exam.
• No eating 4 hours before to the exam.
• Avoid caffeine and sugar the day of the exam.
• Do not chew gum.
• Avoid cough drops, breath mints and hard candy.
• Drink plenty of water. It is important the patient be well hydrated prior to the test.
• Avoid strenuous activity or exercise 72 hours prior to the scan.
• Inform the Technologist if the patient is diabetic. The patient may need to follow specific diet guidelines to control glucose levels during the day of their exam.

Links: www.radiologyinfo.com