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COVID-19 Safety Measures

Due to the growing concern and awareness around COVID – 19, we are taking extra precautions to ensure the health and safety of our community.

We are closely monitoring and following the requirements and recommendations made by Alberta Health Services (AHS), World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All patients are required to undergo a screening which involves detailed questions on travel history and potential cold-like symptoms. Based on the screening results and the discretion of our staff, patients may be asked to reschedule non-urgent appointments.

How To Protect Yourself & Others


Let’s make sure you’re ready for your exam. Preparing is essential to ensure we get the best images possible. If you don’t prepare for your exam, it may need to be rescheduled.

Questions?

We’re here to help. Give us a call at 1-877-420-4232.

Ultrasound
  • Abdomen
    • Do not eat, drink, or consume anything by mouth 8 hours prior to examination.
    • No smoking 4 hours prior to examination.
  • Pelvis
    • Full bladder is required. Please drink four – 8 ounce glasses (1 litre) of water, finished one hour prior to appointment time. Do not empty bladder until after the examination. If your bladder is not full, the examination may have to be rescheduled.
    • You may eat your regular meals and/or a snack prior to the exam.
  • Abdomen and Pelvis
    • Full bladder is required. Please drink four – 8 ounce glasses (1 litre) of water, finished one hour prior to appointment time. Do not empty bladder until after the examination. If your bladder is not full, the examination may have to be rescheduled.
    • Do not eat, drink, or consume anything else by mouth (other than water) for 8 hours prior to examination: no other liquids, chewing gum, lozenges or food 8 hours before exam.
    • No smoking 4 hours prior to exam.
  • Kidneys, Urters, Bladders
    • Full bladder is required. Please drink four – 8 ounce glasses (1 litre) of water, finished one hour prior to appointment time. Do not empty bladder until after the examination. If your bladder is not full, the examination may have to be rescheduled.
    • You may eat your regular meals and/or a snack prior to the exam.
  • Vascular
    • No Preparation is required.
  • MSK
    • No Preparation is required.
  • Obstetrical
    • Full bladder is required. Please drink 1 liter (32 oz.) of water one hour prior to appointment time. Do not empty bladder until after the examination. If your bladder is not full, the examination may have to be rescheduled.
    • You may eat regular meals and/or snacks prior to the exam.
  • Echocardiogram/Heart
    • No Preparation is required.
GI Studies
  • UGI

    GI Studies UGI or Small Bowl Follow Through

    • DO NOT eat, drink or consume anything by mouth for 12 hours prior to examination.
    • If medication is required to be taken prior to exam, please do so with 1 teaspoon of water with each pill only. Do not exceed 1/4 cup of water 3 hours before exam.
    • No smoking 4 hours prior to exam.
  • Small Bowel Follow Through

    GI Studies Small Bowel Follow Through

    • DO NOT eat, drink or consume anything by mouth for 12 hours prior to examination.
    • If medication is required to be taken prior to exam, please do so with 1 teaspoon of water with each pill only. Do not exceed 1/4 cup of water 3 hours before exam.
    • No smoking 4 hours prior to exam.
Pain Management

    Pain Management Injections

    • It is not recommended operating a motor vehicle after the procedure. Please arrange for a driver or other transportation. For nerve root block or epidural injections, patients MUST have a driver present or other transportation.
    • For spine injections of any type, please avoid chewing gum or carbonated drinks the day of the exam.
    • Please wear easily adjustable/loose clothing, such as sweats or joggers, with no belts, buttons, or zippers.
    • Please inform us if you are on blood thinners as there is a specific protocol that must be followed. Speak to your physician for more information.
    • Please inform us if you are pregnant or if there is a chance of pregnancy.
    • If you are receiving an ablation please inform us if you have a pacemaker or any other internal electrical devices.
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

    Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections

    • Check in time 45 minutes prior to ​appointment time. The Fluoroscopy Technicians require time to consent, draw blood and prepare for PRP.
    • Have regular meal prior to exam. This will help improve how patients feel after the exam.
    • Drink water prior to exam.
    • Refrain from administering non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medications (NSAIDS) for 7 – 10 days prior to injection and 2 weeks after procedure.
      • Examples: Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Voltaren, Naproxen Celebrex. If needed, can take Acetaminophen/Tylenol
    • If taking ASA for blood thinning purposes, patients are required to follow suspension rules.
    • No strenuous activity or heavy lifting 1 week post procedure.
    • No cash payment; ​debit, and credit card only. ​
  • Discography

    Discography (Special Spine) Injections

    • Check in 1.5 hours prior to appointment time. The Fluoroscopy Technicians require time to consent and prepare for the Discography.
    • No carbonated beverages or chewing gum; This creates gas in the bowel which can obstruct the Radiologists view.
    • Must have a driver post procedure.
    • Recommended to take 1-3 day off from work post procedure. Minimum of 1 day.
    • No heavy lifting or strenuous activity for 3 days.
    • Recommended to take 600-800mg Ibuprofen every 8 hours for 3 days to decrease inflammation.
    • Possible swelling or bruising at needle site, apply ice.
    • If taking ASA for blood thinning purposes, patients are required to follow suspension rules.
    • No cash payment; debit, and credit card only.
Breast Investigation
  • Mammography

    Breast Investigation Mammography

    • Do not wear deodorant or body powder the day of the exam. If you have premenstrual tenderness in your breasts, it is advisable to schedule your appointment for after it has subsided.
    • Due to possible breast tenderness caused by caffeine intake, you may choose to avoid caffeine 2 days prior to your exam.
  • Breast Ultrasound

    Breast Investigation Breast Ultrasound

    • Do not wear deodorant or body powder the day of the exam. If you have premenstrual tenderness in your breasts, it is advisable to schedule your appointment for after it has subsided.
    • Due to possible breast tenderness caused by caffeine intake, you may choose to avoid caffeine 2 days prior to your exam.
  • Breast Biopsy

    Breast Investigation Breast Biopsy

    • Do not take Aspirin the day of or the day before the exam. If you are on blood thinners such as Coumadin or Plavix, you will need to discuss with your family physician whether you can stop these medications prior to the biopsy, ideal time frame is for 3-5 days before including the day of the biopsy.
    • You should take a pain reliever 30-60 minutes prior to the appointment time in 500mg to 600mg of Tylenol or Acetaminophen so long as your family physician has not advised your against taking this specific medication.
Bone Mineral Densitometry

    Bone Mineral Densitometry Pre-Exam Preparations

    • Do not take any multivitamins, calcium or iron before the examination. You are able to take it after the exam. Please bring in a detailed list of all medications you are currently taking.
MRI

    Private MRI Pre-Exam Preparations

    • Please follow the exam preparation provided to you at the time of booking.
CT

    Private CT Pre-Exam Preparations

    • Please follow the exam preparation provided to you at the time of booking.
X-Ray

    X-ray Pre-Exam Preparations

    • No Preparation required.
Nuclear Medicine Imaging
  • Bone Scan

    Bone Scan Pre-Exam Preparations

    • No Preparation required.
    • Roughly 15 minutes of appointment time, then you will be asked to leave for 2.5 hours and return for ~30 minutes of imaging. 
      • The exact time will be provided by the technologist during the appointment.
      • There are no restrictions on any eating/drinking during this wait time.
    • Please do not wear clothing with lots of metal accents/chains/snaps, etc. Buttons and zippers on jeans are fine, bras are fine.
    • To do the injection, we will need access to a vein in the arm; please try to wear a shirt that you can roll up to the elbow or a short-sleeved shirt.
  • Renal Scan

    Renal Scan Pre-Exam Preparations

    • Drink 500 mL – 1 L of water 1 hour prior to the exam – this is to ensure the patient is properly hydrated.
    • Patients do not need to hold their bladder.
    • The exam time is roughly 45 minutes in length.
  • Hepatobiliary (HIDA) Scan

    Hepatobiliary (HIDA) Scan Pre-Exam Preparations

    • Do not eat, drink, or consume anything by mouth (including chewing gum) for a minimum of 4 hours prior to the exam. Try to avoid smoking if possible.
    • Exam time is 1 hour, plus return time for about 5 minutes of imaging, 2 hours after the initial appointment time – the exact time will be provided by the technologist during the appointment.