Preparing for Your Exam

You will need your insurance card and co-pay. You may register in the front lobby of the hospital or in the emergency room.

BARIUM ENEMA - weight limit 500 lbs - Pick up 3 bottles of mag citrate from the drug store. After you eat lunch, you can only have clear liquids for the rest of the day up until midnight. Drink the 1st bottle at 6 pm; wait 1 ½ hours to drink the 2nd bottle; and another 1 ½ for the 3rd. Nothing at all to eat OR drink after midnight.
CT/CTA SCAN - weight limit 650 lbs - For abdomen or pelvis scans (except kidney stone protocol), do not eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to your test. For any CT with IV contrast do not eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to your test. If you are over 60 years old or diabetic – BUN & Creatinine (lab work) within the last 30 days is required. If you are drinking contrast, please arrive 1 ½ hours before your appointment time. This allows ample time to register and drink the oral contrast for the study. NPO 6 hours
ECHO - weight limit 500 lbs - Regular Transthoracic Echo has no prep. Stress Echo – no caffeine or decaf products 24 hours prior to test; no beta blockers 24 hours prior to test; do not eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to test. Transesophageal Echo (TEE) – do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to your test, but DO take all your medications.
IVP - weight limit 712 lbs stationary and 586 lbs with table in motion - Pick up 3 bottles of mag citrate from the drug store; after you eat lunch, you can ONLY have clear liquids the rest of the day until midnight; drink the 1st bottle at 6pm, wait 1 ½ hours to drink the 2nd bottle, and another 1 ½ hours to drink the 3rd bottle. Nothing at all to eat OR drink after midnight. If you are over 60 years old or diabetic – BUN & Creatinine (lab work) within the last 30 days is required.
MAMMOGRAPHY - Do not wear lotion, powder or deodorant. If you have previous mammograms at another facility, please bring these with you to avoid a delay in your results.
NUCLEAR MEDICINE STUDY - weight limit 440 lbs
Stress Test – no caffeine or decaf products 24 hours prior to test; no beta blockers 24 hours prior to test; do not eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to test. No Cardiazem, Diltiazem, or Verapamil (calcium channel blockers). See additional instructions on the back. ***Please bring a list of your medications***
HIDA Scan – do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to test, including gum, candy, medications, and smoking. If you are allergic to milk/soy, please let scheduler know.
Gastric Emptying Study – do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to test, including gum, candy, medications, and smoking.
Parathyroid/Sestamibi – PTH and Calcium (lab work) is required.
I123 Thyroid Uptake – do not take thyroid medications 4 weeks prior to your test; do not have IV contrast 4 weeks prior to your test.
Bone scans, MUGA, Liver/Spleen, V-Q, and Renal scans do not require any prep.
PET SCAN - weight limit 400 lbs - Do not eat or drink anything (except plain water) 4-6 hours prior to your test. Do not chew gum the day of your test. Avoid rigorous activity 24 hours prior to your test. Bring all prior CT or PET scans. If you are diabetic – withhold your insulin 4-6 hours prior to your test. Oral medications may be taken with plain water only. Your sugar must be lower than 200 mg/dl.
ULTRASOUND - weight limit 500 lbs - For abdomen, gallbladder, liver, RUQ, and renal artery exams do not eat or drink anything 6-8 hours prior to your test. For pregnancy, pelvis, or bladder exams, you must have a full bladder. Drink 32 oz. water one hour before your appointment time.
UPPER GI, ESOPHAGUS, AND SMALL BOWEL SERIES - weight limit 500 lbs - Do not eat or drink anything 6 hours prior to your test.
WIDE BORE MRI/MRA - weight limit 500 lbs - If you are over 60 years old, diabetic, have blood pressure or kidney issues– BUN & Creatinine (lab work) within the last 30 days is required if you are getting MRI with contrast. AN MRI CANNOT BE PERFORMED IF YOU HAVE A PACEMAKER.