Preparing for an Exam

If your physician has scheduled you for a diagnostic procedure at Fatima Hospital or St. Joseph Hospital, please follow the instructions for the examination ordered. If you have any questions, please call 456-EXAM (3926).

Diagnostic Radiology

The radiology examinations should be performed in the order they are listed.

Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

1. Nothing to eat or drink six (6) hours prior to exam.


2. If there is a history of asthma, allergic reaction to seafood or other allergies please contact scheduling at 456-3926.

Barium Enema (BE)

1. Maintain a clear liquid diet for 24 hours prior to the examination. All milk and milk by-products should be eliminated from your diet.


2. Obtain an Evac-Q-Kwik preparation kit from your local drugstore and follow the instructions enclosed in the package.


3. Do not eat or drink anything from 10 pm the day prior to the examination until the exam is completed.

G.I. Series and Small Bowel

1. You may have a light evening meal on the day prior to the examination.


2. Do not have any solid food after the evening meal.


3. You may have clear liquids until bedtime.


4. Do not have anything to eat, drink or smoke after midnight until the exam is completed.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine examinations should be performed before any barium studies.

Thyroid Uptake and Thyroid Scan

1. This is a two (2) day exam.


2. You may eat.


3. No IV contrast in last 3 weeks.


4. If on thyroid medication, check with Nuclear Medicine department on how long you must stop medication.

HIDA Scan

1. Fast for five (5) hours before the exam.

Cardiac Nuclear Medicine / Myocardial Perfusion Study

1. 24-HOURS PRIOR TO EXAM


• NO Coffee or tea that is brewed, instant, iced or decaffeinated.



• NO Colas or other soft drinks that contain caffeine, including those labeled "caffeine free".
  
• NO Chocolates, including candies, frosting, cookies, pies, cocoa and chocolate milk.
  
• NO Aspirin products that contain caffeine, such as Anacin and Excedrin.
  
• NO Persantine (dipyridamole)
  
• NO Theophylline, or theophylline containing products such as Constant-T Primatene, Quiborn, Slo-Phylline, or Theo-Dur.
  
• DO NOT take any heart medications the morning of the test.
  
• NO Beta Blockers or Calcium Blockers.


2. Fast from midnight the night before appointment.


3. Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers if you will be walking on the treadmill.
4. Bring all medications with you.
   
   Plan on being at the hospital for at least 4 - 5 hours.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound examinations should be performed before any barium studies.

Abdomen, Aorta, Biliary Tract, Common Bile Duct, Gallbladder, Liver, Pancreas, Renal (Kidney) and/or Spleen

1. Nothing to eat or drink for six (6) hours prior to the exam.

Pelvic, Bladder, Fetal Age, or Pregnancy Diagnosis

1. Fasting is not necessary


2. One and one-half hours before the exam is scheduled, slowly drink 32 ounces of fluid. (Water, tea, coffee) - NO soft drinks.


3. The fluid intake should be completed 1/2 hour before the exam is scheduled.


4. DO NOT VOID

CT Scan

1. All examinations with contrast, nothing to eat or drink 5 hours before te examination.
2. All abdomen and Pelvis examinations, nothing to eat or drink 5 hours before the examination.

   If Oral Prep needed:
   Oral prep of ReadiCat may be picked up in the CT department 12 - 24 hours prior to the exam. Follow directions for oral prep. Arrive 15 minutes prior to exam.

   Patients unable to pick up ReadiCat prior to the exam must arrive 1 hour earlier than exam time to take oral prep.

MRI

1. MRCP and/or Pancreas examinations, fast 4 hours prior to exam.

No prep for any other MRI examinations.