Heritageparksurgicalhospital.com

3601 N. Calais Street • Sherman, Texas 75090 CT Patient Preparation
What is a CT?
Computed tomography, called CT or CAT scanning is an x-ray system that produces detailed cross-
sectional images of the head, spine, chest, pelvis, abdomen and other areas of the body. CT images
show organs of interest at selected levels of the body. CT examinations produce detailed organ studies
by stacking individual image slices. To produce the scans, you will be asked to lie on a table. The table
slides into the doughnut-shaped ring in the center of the scanning machine. There the x-ray tube rotates
around the area of interest. Sensors in the ring detect x-rays passing through the body. Information
from the sensors is processed by a computer and displayed as an image on a video screen. A
radiologist (specialized physician) interprets film copies of the image.
Frequently, a colorless liquid called a contrast agent (commonly called "dye") is used to see the organs being studied. The contrast agent is injected into a vein, usually in the arm. During the injection, many patients feel a warm or flushed sensation and feel some discomfort that usually lasts about two minutes. Preparation
Patient preparation for all CT Scans consist of nothing to eat or drink for four to six hours prior to
appointment unless otherwise instructed, i.e. medications. Any medication that is needed should be
taken as prescribed with a small amount of water, unless otherwise instructed by the Radiology
Department.
If you have any known allergies to dye or iodine, the CT Department or Radiologist needs to be aware of the allergy and what type of reaction you have had. This information will allow the radiologist to arrange for pre-medication for you through your referring physician or make necessary arrangements. Please call the Radiology Department at (903) 870-0797 if you have any known contrast allergies. If you are diabetic and taking a medication that contains metformin, it should be discontinued at the time of your examination. It should not be taken for the 48 hrs. after your examination. Please refer to the Patient information pages supplied to you with the medicine by your Pharmacy. In the USA, metformin is sold as a generic drug and is also present within drugs named Glucophage, Glucovance, Avandamet, and Metaglip. Abdominal or Pelvic CT
The oral preparation is called Readi-Cat 2. The barium administration protocol for an Abdomen/Pelvis
CT is as follows: Two hours prior to your scheduled appointment time, drink 450ml (one full bottle) of
Readi-Cat 2, another 300ml one hour before scan, and finally 150ml immediately prior to scan. The
oral preparation is all completed once the patient has arrived in the CT Radiology department.
Foundation Healthcare Affiliates 3601 N. Calais Street • Sherman, Texas 75090 The Examination
Please arrive by your appointment time. All Diagnostic CT exams last from fifteen to forty-five
minutes, depending on the extent of the study being performed.
After the Procedure The radiologist will send a report to your doctor after the images have been
studied. It is best to ask your doctor for the exam results.
If you have any questions regarding CT, please call (903) 870-0797. Appointment Date/Time: __________________________________________________________ Oral Contrast Administration Times: Readi-Cat 450ml: _____________________
Readi-Cat 300ml: _____________________
Readi-Cat 150ml: Immediately prior to exam
If you have any questions regarding CT, please call (903) 870-0797. Foundation Healthcare Affiliates

Source: http://www.heritageparksurgicalhospital.com/download/CT%20Patient%20Preparation%20Instructions.pdf