Ultrasound

Patient preparation for Ultrasounds can vary depending on the exam ordered by the physician. An abdominal, aorta or gallbladder scan requires the patient to have nothing to eat or drink a minimum of six to eight hours prior to exam. If the patient is not prepped properly the exam is compromised and the patient will need to be rescheduled when the exam can be done properly.

All other ultrasound exams do not require the patient to be NPO.

If the patient is having a Special Procedure done such as a drainage, biopsy, etc. he/she may need to be off of blood thinners for ten days prior to the test being done. Again, this is with the patient’s doctor permission if the patient needs the medication every day. Depending on the exam to be performed, the patient may need to be monitored following the exam. For these special exams the patient may eat or drink before the exam. The patient must arrive one hour prior to a Special Procedure to have lab work done to assure the test is done safely.

During any exam performed, the Ultrasound Technologist will have the patient lying on a stretcher and positioned according to the area being examined. The technologist will apply a water based gel to the area of interest to eliminate air between the body and the probe so that the sound waves from the ultrasound probe may pass through the body easily. All of our exams are performed fairly quickly and the patient will receive his/her results from their ordering physician after the interpretation by the Radiologist. The radiologist is a board certified M.D. who will interpret your ultrasound and send his report to the physician who ordered your exam.