PREPARATION GUIDELINES
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The following are standard preparation guidelines for all facilities that we work with for our patients and their insurance companies. This includes all hospitals and free standing facilities. Some variations may exist. All insurance authorization will be obtained prior to scheduling testing.
CT Guided Needle Biopsy:
If your x-rays were done at a different facility, you must bring them with you. You will need a driver to take you home. Nothing to eat or drink 4 – 6 hours before test. You can have a small amount of water if you need to take your medications and can tolerate on an empty stomach. Be prepared to be at the facility for 4 – 6 hours.
CT Scan Chest with contrast:
Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to study.
CT Scan Abdomen-Pelvis:
Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours prior to study.
CT Scan Sinus, CT Scan Brain, CT Scan Neck, CT Scan Chest without contrast: no special instructions
Bronchoscopy:
To register for your test you must arrive 2 hours prior to your test. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure. If your x-rays were done at a different facility, you must bring them with you. You will need a driver to take you home. Pre-assessment will be scheduled prior to procedure. Please see link for additional details.
PET Scans:
Be sure you have your films with you upon registration including any outside films which may be a requirement for your procedure.
Expect to be there for about 3 – 4 hours.
Wear warm, loose fitting clothing. The scanners tend to get cool. You will not be required to remove your clothing prior to the scan.
No jewelry or metal.
No strenuous exercising 24 hours prior to your appointment.
Follow a high protein, low carbohydrate diet for 24 hours prior to test.
Non-Diabetic:
1. No food for 6 hours prior to appointment. You may drink only water up to the time of your test. No other type of liquid is allowed.
2. Take medications as scheduled prior to your appointment as long as you can tolerate on an empty stomach.
Diabetic:
- No food for 6 hours prior to appointment. You may drink only water up to the time of your test. No other type of liquid is allowed.
- Diabetics who take oral medication should wait until the exam is completed to take them.
- Subcutaneous insulin-dependent diabetic should have their last injection 4 hours prior to the appointment.
- Take other regularly scheduled medications prior to your appointment as long as you can tolerate on an empty stomach.
MRI Brain, MRI Neck, MRI Legs: no special instructions
MRI Abdomen: Nothing to eat or dirnk at least 4 to 6 hours prior to study.
PFT and Methacholine Challenge:
Eat light meal
No Smoking. No Caffeine. NO Albuterol, Combivent, Proventil, Atrovent, Ipratropium by inhaler or nebulizer for 4 hours before test.
Echocardiograms: NO PREP
24 Hour PH Probe for GERD:
Suggest do not eat 4 hours before because of gag reflux
This test starts when the probe is inserted and stops 24 hours later when removed. The tech will numb the throat and nose before inserting the probe.