Let the technologist know if you have:
    • A pacemaker or any other implants
    • Metal splinters in your body
    • Tattoos
If your test requires that you be injected with contrast, call our office at 365-0777 the day before the date of your exam for special instructions.
 
X-Ray
There is no prep necessary for an X-Ray exam. You may be asked to remove your watch, jewelry, or garments with metal closures from the part of your body being imaged.
Let the technologist know if you may be pregnant or if you have any metal in the part of your body being imaged.
 
CT Scan
All CT Scans: Your test may require that you be injected with contrast (an iodine contrast material that enhances the image). We need to know if you have any known history of previous adverse reactions to iodine contrast or have a known history of asthma. Call our office at 365-0777 the day before the date of your exam for special instructions.

Prior to injection, we need to make certain that your kidneys are adequately functioning. We must have recent blood work for your Creatinine level. If you have not had your blood drawn to obtain this value within the past month, please call our office at 365-0777.

Let the technologist know if you may be pregnant.

CT Abdomen and/or CT Pelvis: You must come in to pick up a prep kit at least two days before your exam date.

You may place your Readi-CAT prep bottles in your refrigerator when you receive them; the prep tastes better chilled.

If your appointment is before 1:00 p.m.: At 8:00 p.m. on the evening before your exam, drink a half bottle of the Readi-CAT prep. Do not follow with any solid food. Wait 15 minutes, then you may drink small amounts of any clear liquid until midnight. After midnight, nothing by mouth. If you need to take medication, use your Readi-CAT prep to wash it down.

On the day of your exam, two hours before your appointment time, drink a half bottle of the Readi-CAT prep. Drink another half bottle 90 minutes before your appointment. Follow with another half bottle of prep one hour before appointment time. Thirty minutes before your exam time, drink a half bottle of Readi-CAT prep. Bring the last half bottle of prep with you to our office. The technologist will tell you when to drink your final prep.

If your appointment is after 1:00 p.m.: You may have a light breakfast before 8:00 a.m. on the day of your exam. At 8:00 a.m., drink a half bottle of the Readi-CAT prep. Do not follow with any solid food. Wait 15 minutes, then drink a cup of any clear liquid. After this, have nothing by mouth. If you need to take medication, use your Readi-CAT prep to wash it down.

Two hours before your appointment time, drink a half bottle of the Readi-CAT prep. Drink another half bottle 90 minutes before your appointment. Follow with another half bottle of prep one hour before appointment time. Thirty minutes before your exam time, drink a half bottle of Readi-CAT prep. Bring the last half bottle of prep with you to our office. The technologist will tell you when to drink your final prep.

Ultrasound
Pregnancy or Pelvic Ultrasound
You are being prepared for an ultrasound exam that requires you to have a full bladder and nothing to eat or drink after midnight. To ensure best results, please follow these instructions:
Two hours before exam time, empty your bladder. Do not urinate again until your exam is complete.
Immediately after your last urination, begin drinking 1.5 quarts of liquid (no milk or dairy products). In order to avoid nausea, you do not need to gulp – drink at a rate that is comfortable for you.
Although your bladder will feel quite full – please remember not to urinate until after your ultrasound exam is completed!

Nuclear Medicine
Call 365-0777 for specific instructions pertaining to your individual exam.
You may be told not to eat, drink, or take certain medications before your scan. You will be asked to remove metallic objects, such as jewelry. You will be given a small amount of radioactive tracer. It is most often injected, but it may be swallowed. Bring something with you to do while you’re waiting for your scan – you may need to wait a few minutes or hours before having your scan for the tracer to concentrate in the part of your body being studied.

  Let the technologist know if:
    • You are pregnant or breastfeeding
    • Have had a recent barium study or an X-Ray using contrast
    • Have any fractures or prostheses
    • Have any allergies
    • You had radiation therapy, X-Rays, or surgery recently
 
Mammogram
Please do not wear any perfumes, lotions, creams, deodorants or powders when you come in for your mammogram. These applications may contain a metallic base, and could cause distortion on the image.
 
What is Mammography?
Mammography is an X-Ray of breast tissue. The image produced is called a mammogram. A mammogram can help detect problems with your breasts. There's a small amount of radiation with mammography, but the benefits of this test far outweigh any risks.

Let the Technologist Know:
  For your safety and to get the best test results, let the technologist know if:

    • You're pregnant or think you may be
    • You have breast implants
    • You have any scars or moles on or near your breast
    • You've had a previous breast biopsy or surgery
    • You're breast feeding

Before The Exam
A mammogram is a simple exam that requires only a little planning. Schedule the test for one week after your period when your breasts are less tender. Also, make sure your radiologist has access to your last mammogram if it was done somewhere else. This allows the doctor compare the two. On the morning of your test, wash your breasts and underarms, but don't use deodorant, powders, or perfumes. Wear a blouse or sweater that you can remove easily. Also check to see how early you need to arrive.
 
During Your Exam
You will need to undress from the waist up. The technologist will then position your breast to get the best test results. During the exam, each of your breasts will be compressed. You may feel some discomfort, but compression helps get the most complete X-Ray image. Once the exam is done, the technologist may have you wait a few minutes to make sure the images are of good quality.

  For Your Comfort
    • Remain as relaxed as you can during the compression
    • Know that any discomfort will be very brief
 
After The Exam
You can return to your normal activities right away. Sometimes, more pictures may be needed. You may be asked to schedule them. You will be notified of your test results in writing at the end of your mammogram.
 
Bone Density (DEXA Scan)
Avoid taking calcium supplements 24 hours prior to your exam.
 
Fluoroscopy
Esophogram – Small Bowel Series – Upper G.I. – Barium Enema – IVP
 
Esophogram (or Barium Swallow)
NPO after midnight.

Small Bowel Series
If your appointment is before 1:00 p.m.: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before.
If your appointment is after 1:00 p.m.: Clear liquids only from midnight the night before until 9:00 a.m. the day of your appointment. Nothing by mouth after 9:00 a.m. on the day of your exam.

Upper G.I.
If your appointment is before 1:00 p.m.: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before.
If your appointment is after 1:00 p.m.: Clear liquids only from midnight the night before until 9:00 a.m. the day of your appointment. Nothing by mouth after 9:00 a.m. on the day of your exam.

Barium Enema
A barium enema requires thorough cleansing of your colon. It is important that you drink plenty of clear liquids during the prep and follow all instructions.
You must come in to pick up a prep kit at least three days before your exam date.
Place your Tridrate® Bowel Evacuant prep kit in your refrigerator when you receive it.
It is important that you drink at least one cup of liquid every two hours that you’re awake – the more you drink, the better the exam will be.
Let the technologist know if you may be pregnant.

  If your appointment is before 1:00 p.m.:

• Start a clear liquid diet (no solid foods) two days before and up to your appointment time. Drink plenty of clear liquids.*
• At 4:00 p.m. on the day before your appointment, drink the entire contents of the Tridrate® Magnesium Citrate bottle (pour over ice).
• At 7:00 p.m., take the three Tridrate® tablets with a large glass of water.
• On the day of your appointment, at 7:00 a.m., insert one Tridrate® suppository into your rectum as far as possible; hold it as long as you can before using the restroom.
• At 8:00 a.m., using the enema kit provided, follow kit instructions on the back of the box and begin the cleansing enema.

If your appointment is after 1:00 p.m.:

• Two days before your appointment, you may have a full breakfast. Then start a clean liquid diet. No solid foods following breakfast. Continue your clear liquid diet through to your appointment time. Drink plenty of clear liquids.*
• At 4:00 p.m. on the day before your appointment, drink the entire contents of the Tridrate® Magnesium Citrate bottle (pour over ice).
• At 7:00 p.m., take the three Tridrate® tablets with a large glass of water.
• On the day of your appointment, at 11:00 a.m., insert one Tridrate® suppository into your rectum as far as possible; hold it as long as you can before using the restroom.
• At noon, using the enema kit provided, follow kit instructions on the back of the box and begin the cleansing enema.
  
  *Examples of clear liquids: coffee, tea, soda, water, gelatin, broth, hard candy, sports drinks (such as Gatorade), Popsicles, juice without pulp.

IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram)
Your test may require that you be injected with contrast (an iodine contrast material that enhances the image), We need to know if you have any known history of previous adverse reactions to iodine contrast or have a known history of asthma. Call our office at 365-0777 the day before the date of your exam for special instructions.
Prior to injection, we need to make certain that your kidneys are adequately functioning. We must have recent blood work for your Creatinine level. If you have not had your blood drawn to obtain this value within the past month, please call our office at 365-0777.
Let the technologist know if you may be pregnant.

If your appointment is before 1:00 p.m.:
On the day before your exam, clear liquids only.* At 2:00 p.m., take 2 oz. (4 Tbs.) castor oil or one full bottle of citrate of magnesium. Continue on clear liquid diet only up to appointment time. Clear liquids only* on the day of your exam. It is important that you drink at least one cup of liquid every two hours that you’re awake – the more you drink, the better the exam will be.

If your appointment is after 1:00 p.m.: On the day before your exam, you may have a full breakfast if before 9:00 a.m. Following 9:00 a.m., clear liquids only.* At 2:00 p.m., take 2 oz. (4 Tbs.) castor oil or one full bottle of citrate of magnesium. Continue on clear liquid diet only up to appointment time. Clear liquids only* on the day of your exam. It is important that you drink at least one cup of liquid every two hours that you’re awake – the more you drink, the better the exam will be.
 
*Examples of clear liquids: coffee, tea, soda, water, gelatin, broth, hard candy, sports drinks (such as Gatorade), Popsicles, juice without pulp.