PATIENT PREPARATION

All Patients Must

  • Checkmark Bring your health card to your appointment.
  • Checkmark Arrive 15 minutes early to register.
  • Checkmark Refrain from wearing scents (we are a scent-free environment).

Please follow the specific exam instructions below. These instructions are important and must be followed.

GNMI Patient Preparation

MRI Preparation

  • Checkmark Do not wear jewelry, hair pins, or piercings.
  • Checkmark Wear loose clothing with no metal.

MRI Abdomen, Liver, Kidney, Pancreas, Adrenals, Rectum, Fistula, Pelvis

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours (nothing to eat or drink).

MRI Enterography

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours.
  • Checkmark Start drinking 5 cups (40 oz / 1.25 L) of water 2 hours before your exam.
  • Checkmark Finish drinking at least 1 hour before your appointment.

MRI Cardiac

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours.
  • Checkmark No caffeine or nicotine on exam day.
  • Checkmark Avoid erectile dysfunction medications (Cialis, Viagra, etc.) for 72 hours prior.
  • Checkmark Shave chest hair if necessary.

CT Preparation

General (Chest/Abdomen/Pelvis, Liver, Renal Mass)

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours (water allowed).
  • Checkmark No need to hold urine.
  • Checkmark Arrive 30 minutes early (unless otherwise instructed).

CT Kidneys and CT Pancreas

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours.
  • Checkmark Drink 1 liter of water starting 1 hour before your scan.
  • Checkmark Arrive 45 minutes early.

CT Enterography

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours.
  • Checkmark Drink 1 liter of water.
  • Checkmark Arrive 45 minutes early.

CT Abdomen/Pelvis (Specific Indications)

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours.
  • Checkmark Arrive 1 hour early to drink oral contrast/water.
  • Checkmark Indications: Gastric bypass, bowel obstruction, post-op surgery, fistula, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, ruling out small/colonic mass.

CT Cardiac Contrast Study / Calcium Scoring

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours.
  • Checkmark No caffeine or nicotine on exam day.
  • Checkmark Avoid erectile dysfunction medications for 72 hours prior.
  • Checkmark If heart rate > 65 bpm → arrive 1 hour early to take Metoprolol (confirm no allergies).
  • Checkmark Shave chest hair if needed.

Ultrasound Preparation

Abdomen (Gallbladder, Liver, Pancreas, Spleen, Bile Duct, Kidneys, Aorta)

  • Checkmark No eating, drinking, smoking, or chewing gum for 4 hours.
  • Checkmark Pediatrics: 4-hour fast; infants: 2-hour fast.

Obstetrical, Pelvis (Male/Female), Urinary Bladder

  • Checkmark Drink 5 cups (40 oz / 1.25 L) of water 2 hours before exam.
  • Checkmark Finish drinking 1 hour before exam.
  • Checkmark Do not empty bladder.
  • Checkmark Pediatrics: 16–24 oz depending on age.
  • Checkmark If bladder is not full, the appointment may be rescheduled.

Abdomen + Pelvis Combined

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours.
  • Checkmark Drink 5 cups (40 oz / 1.25 L) water 2 hours before.
  • Checkmark Finish 1 hour before.
  • Checkmark Do not empty bladder.

Transrectal Ultrasound

  • Checkmark Fleet enema 2 hours before (purchase at pharmacy).
  • Checkmark Drink 34 oz / 1 liter of water 1 hour before.
  • Checkmark Do not use the washroom.

Thyroid, Neck, Breast, Scrotum, Shoulder, Venous, Arterial, Carotid Doppler

  • Checkmark No preparation required.

Bone Density Preparation

  • Checkmark Bring a list of all medications and vitamins (include dosage & duration).
  • Checkmark Wear clothing without buttons, zippers, or denim if possible.
  • Checkmark Delay morning calcium supplements until after the exam.
  • Checkmark Inform us if you’ve had a recent barium digestive study.
  • Checkmark Patients will complete a questionnaire (OPEN HERE).

Mammography Preparation

  • Checkmark Do not use deodorant, antiperspirant, powders, lotions, creams, or perfumes on exam day (may interfere with results).
  • Checkmark Patients will complete a questionnaire (OPEN HERE).

Nuclear Medicine Preparation

Hepatobiliary Scan

  • Checkmark Fast for at least 4 hours (but not more than 12 hours).

Renal Scan

  • Checkmark Drink 2 large glasses of water (about 500 ml / 20 oz) 30–60 minutes prior.
  • Checkmark You may void before the exam.

Thyroid Uptake and Scan

  • Checkmark Fast for 4 hours.
  • Checkmark Discontinue thyroid hormones (Levothyroxine/Synthroid) for 4–6 weeks and PTU/Tapazole for 1 week.
  • Checkmark Do not take multivitamins or iodine-rich foods (kale, kelp, seaweed).
  • Checkmark Important: Check with your doctor before stopping any thyroid medications.

Nuclear Cardiology Preparation

  • Checkmark No caffeine for 24 hours: no coffee, tea (including decaf/herbal/green), chocolate, cola, or caffeine-containing medications (Tylenol #1–3, Excedrin Migraine).
  • Checkmark Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior. (If diabetic → light meal allowed.)
  • Checkmark Bring a list of all prescription medications.
  • Checkmark
    Consult your doctor about stopping certain medications before the test:
    • Check Beta Blockers: 48 hrs prior
    • Check Erectile Dysfunction Rx: 72 hrs prior
    • Check Calcium Channel Blockers: 24 hrs prior
    • Check Do Not stop medication on your own.

Stress Test Preparation

  • Checkmark Wear comfortable clothing and running shoes for the exercise stress test.