1) All of your CT experiences will begin with registration at the Blake 2 reception area.
|
 |
 |
2) You will then be directed to a changing area.
|
 |
|
3) Final preparation for CT will depend on type of exam. You may or may not need oral contrast or intravenous (IV) contrast.
 4) If you require oral contrast, a radiology team member will give you a cup of barium to drink when you arrive. Barium is a thick, flavored or non-flavored milk shake like drink.
5) If your doctor determined you need oral contrast (barium), you will be asked to come an hour early to drink the barium to allow the barium to move through your system. If you are at the MGH prior to the day of your exam, you may stop by and pick up the barium and take it home with you. Drink the barium three hours before your exam time and arrive at the MGH Blake 2 reception area only 15 minutes before your exam time. This will save you approximately one (1) hour of waiting time.
6) If your CT requires you to have intravenous contrast, you will then have an intravenous catheter inserted into your arm by one of our radiology staff nurses or radiologic technologists.
|
 |
 |
7) You will then be brought into one of your CT scanning rooms and your technologist will start the exam. Please feel free to ask any questions.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
8) Your total exam time should be less than 15 minutes. As we use only state-of-the-art General Electric (GE) LightSpeed CT scanners. The information we acquire will provide the most advanced diagnostic information available.
AFTER YOUR CT SCAN
 1) You will be allowed to change and leave. The results of your scan will be available to your physician usually within 24 hours.
|
