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EXAM PREPARATION

By following these instructions carefully—both the general instructions and those that apply to your specific exam, below—you help us to ensure the best possible diagnostic quality.

Radiology Exam General Preparation

  • Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your radiology exam appointment. If you must cancel or reschedule, call us at least 24 hours in advance.

  • If you are pregnant, or think you might be pregnant, let your doctor know. In most cases, X-ray exams will not be done on a pregnant patient.

  • Tell us if you are breastfeeding.

  • If you are diabetic and taking insulin, ask your physician for specific instructions regarding the dosages for the day of your examination.

  • If you are on a medically-ordered, fluid-restricted diet or if you have kidney failure or a kidney transplant, discuss radiology exam preparation with your physician, who may alter your instructions.

  • If your radiology exam requires you to fast beforehand and is scheduled for the afternoon, you may have 8 -12 ounces of water around 7:00 AM. Otherwise don’t eat, drink, smoke or chew before the exam.

  • If you are planning on taking sedation medication, please arrive one (1) hour before your appointment and do not start taking the medication until after you have completed the paper work on site. Please arrange for someone to drive you home from the exam.

What You Should Bring

  • Prescription or referral from your physician.

  • List of medications you take, including non-prescription medications and supplements.

  • Insurance cards.

  • Any previous, relevant imaging exams and reports performed outside of our network.

  • Medical history, including whether you may be pregnant or breastfeeding currently.

Radiology Exam Procedure-Specific Instructions

Different radiology exams have different preparation requirements. Our staff will discuss specific instructions with you, and you can review the information below. Please click on the + sign for more information.

Arthrogram (Injection)

Patients with Mild/Moderate IV Contrast or Iodine allergies:

Please contact your doctor to prescribe you a pre-medication for your allergy to take for this exam. You will need to have the prescription filled at your pharmacy and take according to your doctors directions.

On the day of your appointment:

Please arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment
Please do not eat or drink anything for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc.
Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

Biopsies

10 days prior to your appointment day, please do not take any fish oils

5 days prior to your appointment day, please do not take any aspirin, Aleve, ibuprofen, vitamin E, Plavix, Coumadin, Ginkgo Biloba, and any blood thinners
If you are currently seeing a cardiologist and are on blood thinners, please contact your provider so that they can determine a safe method for stopping your medication for this exam. In the case that your provider does not recommend stopping your medication, please give us a call back

On the day of the appointment:

Please arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment
Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc.
Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

Breast Biopsies

Prior to your appointment, we ask that you please obtain both the images and the report for all breast imaging (Mammography, breast ultrasound and/or breast MRI) you’ve had in the past at another facility. These are required to interpret your exam and without them, results will be delayed or you may be asked to return for additional imaging. If we’re able to obtain on your behalf, we will. If we’re unable to obtain on your behalf, you may be asked to retrieve these priors.

10 days prior to your appointment day, please do not take any fish oils

5 days prior to your appointment day, please do not take any aspirin, Aleve, ibuprofen, vitamin E, Plavix, Coumadin, Ginkgo Biloba, and any blood thinners
If you are currently seeing a cardiologist and are on blood thinners, please contact your provider so that they can determine a safe method for stopping your medication for this exam. In the case that your provider does not recommend stopping your medication, please give us a call back

On the day of the appointment:

Please do not wear any perfume, powder, deodorant or lotion around the breast area.
Please eat a light meal, but no large meals.
Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

CT Abdomen/Pelvis

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

On the day of your appointment:
Please arrive 1 hour early to allow the site to prep you for your exam
Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

CT Angiogram

10 days prior to your appointment day, please do not take any fish oils.

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

On the day of your appointment:

Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

CT Bone Density

No Prep

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

CT Calcium Scoring

5 days prior to your appointment day, please do not take any aspirin, Aleve, ibuprofen, vitamin E, Plavix, Coumadin, Ginkgo Biloba, and any blood thinners.

On the day of your appointment:

Please do not drink any caffeinated beverages, this includes coffee, soda, and energy drinks. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

X-Ray

This exam requires no special preparation. Use the general instructions at the top of this page.

CT Contrast

If you are currently seeing a cardiologist and are on blood thinners, please contact your provider so that they can determine a safe method for stopping your medication for this exam. In the case that your provider does not recommend stopping your medication, please give us a call back.

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

On the day of your appointment:

Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

CT Enterography

In order to perform your exam, we will need for your provider to write a prescription for 20mg of Reglan. You will need to bring this with you on the day of your appointment.

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam.

On the day of your appointment:

Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc.
Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

CT Myelogram

Please provide the appropriate (CBC, PT, PTT, and INR) labwork no older than 30-days from your appointment date. If you have not had labwork done yet or recently, please call your doctor to have the labwork performed before your appointment.

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam.

5 days prior to your appointment, please stop taking any blood thinners or aspirin products.

3 days prior to your appointment, please stop taking any NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs such as Ibuprofen)

2 days prior to your appointment, please stop taking any anorexiants (Appetite suppressants), muscle relaxers, antidepressants or tranquilizers (Such as anti-anxiety medication).

On the day of your appointment:

Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc.
Please arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

After your appointment:

You will need to rest for at least 24 hours, no rigorous activity during this time please.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

CT Non Contrast

No Prep

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

CT Venograms

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam.

On the day of your appointment:

Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

Please do not wear any perfume, powder, deodorant or lotion around the breast area.

DEXA

Prior to your appointment:

Please stop taking any calcium supplements and/or any vitamins that include calcium, 2 days before. It is okay to continue to eat/drink dairy products

On the day of your appointment:

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

Please eat a light meal, but no large meals.

Diagnostic Mammography

Prior to your appointment, we will need to obtain both the images and the reports of all breast imaging you have had previously at other facilities (Mammography, breast ultrasound and/or breast MRI). These priors are required in order to interpret your exam and without them, your results may be delayed or you may be asked to return for additional imaging. If we’re able to obtain on your behalf, we will. If we’re unable to obtain on your behalf, you may be asked to retrieve these priors.

On the day of your appointment:

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. Please do not wear any perfume, powder, deodorant or lotion around the breast area.

For breastfeeding patients:

Please breast feed or pump immediately before your appointment.

MR Abdomen/Pelvis

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

On the day of your appointment:

Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc.
Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

MR Breast

Prior to your appointment, we ask that you please obtain both the images and the report for all breast imaging (Mammography, breast ultrasound and/or breast MRI) you’ve had in the past at another facility. These are required to interpret your exam and without them, results will be delayed or you may be asked to return for additional imaging. If we’re able to obtain on your behalf, we will. If we’re unable to obtain on your behalf, you may be asked to retrieve these priors.

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

On the day of your appointment:

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

MR Breast Biopsies

Prior to your appointment, we ask that you please obtain both the images and the report for all breast imaging (Mammography, breast ultrasound and/or breast MRI) you’ve had in the past at another facility. These are required to interpret your exam and without them, results will be delayed or you may be asked to return for additional imaging. If we’re able to obtain on your behalf, we will. If we’re unable to obtain on your behalf, you may be asked to retrieve these priors.

10 days prior to your appointment day, please do not take any fish oils

5 days prior to your appointment day, please do not take any aspirin, Aleve, ibuprofen, vitamin E, Plavix, Coumadin, Ginkgo Biloba, and any blood thinners
If you are currently seeing a cardiologist and are on blood thinners, please contact your provider so that they can determine a safe method for stopping your medication for this exam. In the case that your provider does not recommend stopping your medication, please give us a call back

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

On the day of the appointment:

Please do not wear any perfume, powder, deodorant or lotion around the breast area.
Please eat a light meal, but no large meals.
Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

MR Contrast

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

On the day of your appointment:

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

MR Enterography

In order to perform your exam, we will need for your provider to write a prescription for 20mg of Reglan and 1mg of Glucagon. You will need to bring this with you on the day of your appointment

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

On the day of your appointment:
Please arrive 1 hour early to allow the site to prep you for your exam
Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc.

For breastfeeding patients:Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

MR Non Contrast

No Prep

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time..

MR Prostate

Please provide PSA (Prostate-Specific-Antigen) Labwork no older than 90-days from your appointment date. If you have not had PSA labwork done yet or recently, please call your doctor to have the labwork performed before your appointment.

Please provide any prior records pertaining to this exam such as biopsies, treatment and history.

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

Please refrain from any form of ejaculation starting 2 days prior to your appointment.

Please begin a clear liquid diet starting 12 hours prior to your appointment. Clear liquids include water, soup broth, jello, hot/cold tea, Gatorade and water based popsicles.

On the day of your appointment:

Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc.

2 hours prior to your appointment, please use a laxative suppository or a fleet enema. These may be obtained from your local pharmacy.

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

This exam must not be performed sooner than 8 weeks after a biopsy unless that biopsy had positive findings.

MRCP

Prior to your appointment day, please increase the amount of water you're drinking. You will need to be well hydrated on the day of the exam

On the day of your appointment:

Please do not eat or drink anything (besides water) for at least 4 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc. 

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

For breastfeeding patients:

Data suggests that it is safe to continue breastfeeding after receiving a contrast injection. If you would like to refrain from breastfeeding after, we recommend pumping a 24 hour supply prior to your exam and pumping and then discarding for 24 hours after the exam.

Recall Prep

Please repeat prep that was previously given for this exam.

Screening Mammography

Prior to your appointment, we ask that you please obtain any images and reports for any breast imaging you've had in the past at another facility.

On the day of your appointment:

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.
Please do not wear any perfume, powder, deodorant or lotion around the breast area.

For breastfeeding patients:

We suggest waiting 3-6 months after you have stopped breast feeding to have your annual screening mammogram. If you are due for your annual screening but will not finish breast feeding for some time, please breast feed or pump before your appointment.

US Breast

Prior to your appointment, we ask that you please obtain both the images and the report for all breast imaging (Mammography, breast ultrasound and/or breast MRI) you’ve had in the past at another facility. These are required to interpret your exam and without them, results will be delayed.

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

Pelvic Ultrasound

On the day of your appointment:

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

Based on your age, please follow the instructions below:

0-2 years old: Please feed the child liquids 1 hour before the appointment. Please come prepared with extra juice or formula for the appointment

3-4 years old: Please finish drinking 8 ounces of water 30 minutes before the start of the exam. Please do not let the child use the restroom prior to the appointment, as the bladder must be full for this exam

6-14 years old: Please finish drinking between 16 and 24 ounces of water 1 hour before the appointment. Please do not use the restroom prior to the appointment, as the bladder must be full for this exam

15 years or older: Please finish drinking 32 ounces of water 1 hour before the appointment. Please  do not use the restroom prior to the appointment, as the bladder must be full for this exam

Abdominal Ultrasound

On the day of your appointment:

Based on your age, please follow the instructions below:

0-2 years: Please do not feed the child for 1.5 hours prior to the appointment

2-5 years: Please do not eat or drink anything for at least 3 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc. If you need to drink any water in order to take your required medication, please only drink enough to take your medication

5+ years: Please do not eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours before your appointment. This includes: gum, mints, coffee, etc. If you need to drink any water in order to take your required medication, please only drink enough to take your medication

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

Hysterosono Ultrasound

This exam requires that you do not have unprotected intercourse from your last menstrual period until after your appointment.

Patients with a regular monthly cycle:

This exam must be scheduled between 7 and 10 days after Day 1 of your menstrual cycle (Day 1 is the first day of bleeding)

Patients with an irregular monthly cycle:

Please provide labwork that contains your HCG levels done within 5 days of your appointment. If you have not had this labwork done, please contact your doctor to have the labwork performed within 5 days of your appointment.

On the day of your appointment:

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

OB Ultrasound

On the day of your appointment:

Please arrive 20 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time.

Based on your age, please follow the instructions below:

14 years old or younger: Please finish drinking between 16 and 24 ounces of water 1 hour before the appointment. Please do not use the restroom prior to the appointment, as the bladder must be full for this exam

15 years or older: Please finish drinking 32 ounces of water 1 hour before the appointment. Please  do not use the restroom prior to the appointment, as the bladder must be full for this exam.