A Guide To Your CT Exam
What Is CT?
Computerized
Tomography (CT) allows doctors to diagnose and treat a variety
of conditions earlier and faster than
ever before. It often is a safe and painless alternative
to exploratory surgery and other diagnostic procedures, saving
you discomfort and inconvenience.
CT combines X-ray equipment with computer technology to
allow your physician to see your organs and tissues. It differs
from regular X-rays in that it creates images of thin cross
sections or planes of your body, and it is able to detect
some conditions that regular X-rays cannot.
As with any X-ray procedure, radiation is
a risk. However, CT scans are designed to obtain the most information
with
the least possible radiation exposure.
What Can I Expect?
A typical CT exam usually lasts 30 minutes to an hour. The
length of your exam will depend on the type of exam your
doctor has ordered.
Before your exam begins, the technologist will help you
on to the scanning table. Once you are comfortable, the technologist
will move you into the scanner and your exam will begin.
It's important that you remain as still as possible throughout
the exam, since even slight movement blurs the results. You
won't feel a thing, but you will hear the sound of the scanner
working. If you have questions or need assistance at any
time, you can communicate with the technologist through an
audio system installed in the scanner.
During the exam, an X-ray tube will rotate around you, passing
a narrow beam of X-ray from several different angles through
the area to be examined. The table will move slightly after
each view is taken. Detectors, located opposite the X-ray
tube, receive data from inside your body. A computer will
analyze the data and create an image. The images can be viewed
on a monitor and also will be transferred to X-ray film to
become a permanent record.
When the exam is complete, the technologist will help you
off the table.
Will I Need An Injection?
Your physician might order an injection of an iodine contrast
into a vein in your arm. If you have a history of allergies,
especially to iodine, please mention it to your physician
or the technologist when you arrive. It is common for the
iodine contrast to cause a temporary flush, wave of nausea,
or a metallic taste in the mouth. Please report these or
any other symptoms to the technologist.
What Do I Need To Tell My Doctor?
When your doctor refers you for a CT exam, make sure all
of your questions or concerns have been addressed. Issues
you should discuss include:
If you might be pregnant.
If you are diabetic.
Any medications you are taking.
Any dietary constraints that could interfere with the procedure.
Any allergies, especially to iodine.
If you have any questions or comments about your scan at
any time, please talk to your physician or inform the CT
staff. We want to make you as comfortable with the exam as
possible.
How Do I Prepare?
Plan to arrive 20 minutes before your exam to provide medical
and insurance information.
Wear comfortable clothing that does not contain any metal
(zippers, for example), since metal interferes with the scan.
You may be asked to change into a gown, depending on the
type of examination.
Leave valuables at home when at all possible.
Limit the amount of fluids you drink on the day of the exam
and visit the restroom shortly before the exam.
What Do I Need To Tell My Healthcare Provider?
If you are pregnant, or suspect you might be, tell your doctor
immediately
Make sure your doctor is aware of any medications you are
taking
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, take your medications
as usual but with minimal water. If you are taking pain medication,
do so 30 minutes before the exam.
If you have had barium studies of your stomach or colon within
48 hours of your CT scan, please tell your physician ahead
of time or inform the technologist when you arrive.
Information For Specific Scans
The
following information is intended as a general guideline.
More specific information will be provided to you when necessary.
Chest Scan
Do not eat or drink for four hours before your scan time.
You may be asked to remove undergarments as metal will interfere
with the scan.
You might be asked to swallow some barium to outline your
esophagus.
You will be asked to place your arms over your head and hold
your breath for approximately five seconds several times
during the scan.
Abdomen and Pelvis Scan
Do not eat or drink anything (besides medications) for four
hours before your scan time.
You will usually be required to drink a barium substance
to outline the digestive system before the scan. The hospital
or clinic personnel will provide the barium and instructions.
You will be asked to place your arms over your head and hold
your breath for approximately five seconds several times
during the scan.
Head Scan
Do not eat or drink for four hours before your scan time.
The technologist will secure your head in the head cradle
with a strap.
Spine Scan
It is not necessary to fast before a spine scan.
You might be asked to place your arms over your head or on
your chest.
How Do I Get The Results?
A radiologist will interpret your films and send a report
to your doctor, who will inform you of the results.
Patient Rights
As a patient you have the right to:
- Considerate and respectful care
- Obtain from your physician complete current information
concerning your diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in
terms you can undrestand
- Receive from your physician information necessary to
give informed consent prior to the start of any procedure
and/or treatment
- Refuse treatment
- Appropriate assessment and management of pain
- Every consideration of your privacy concerning your own
medical care program
- Expect that all communications and records pertaining
to your care are treated as confidential
- Safe and secure treatment within our facilities
- Obtain infrormation as to any relationship of htis facility
with any other healthcare and educational insitiution insofar
as your care is concerned
- Expect reasonable continuity
of care
- Examine and receive an explanation of your
bill regardless of the source of payment
- Expect a
speedy response and resloution to any complaints
- Know
that the reules and regulations of the healthcare facility
apply to your conduct as a patient in the DMS Imaging scanning
facilities
Patient Responsibilities - Providing
information. The patient is responsible for providing,
to the best of his or her knowledge, accurate and complete
information about present complaints, past illnesses, hospitalizations,
medications, and other matters relating to his or her health.
The patient and family are responsible for reporting unexpected
changes in the patient's condition. The patient and family
help the organization improve its understanding of the patient's
environment by providing feedback about service needs and
experiences.
- Asking questions. The
patient is responsible for asking questions when they do
not understand what they have been told about their care
or what they are expected to do.
Following instructions. The
patient and family are responsible for following the care,
service, or treatment plan developed. They should express
any concerns they have about their ability to follow and
comply with the proposed care plan or course of treatment.
Every effort is made to adapt the plan to the patient's specific
needs and limitations. When such adaptations to the treatment
plan are not recommended, the patient and family are responsible
for understanding the consequences of the treatment alternatives
and not following the proposed course. - Accepting
consequences. The patient and family are responsible
for following the organization's rules and regulations concerning
patient care and conduct.
- Showing respect and
consideration. Patients and families are responsible
for being considerate of the organization's personnel and
property.
- Meeting financial commitments. The
patient and family are responsible for promptly meeting any
financial obligation agreed to with the organization.
This
infomation was provided by DMS
Imaging, An Company |
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