Computed Tomography (CT or "CAT" Scan)
Biopsy and
Routine Preparations
The week before:
- Stop taking aspirin or aspirin products (Bufferin, Excedrin,
Ecotrin, etc.) For 7 days before the procedure.
- If you take coumadin or warfarin (blood thinners), they should be stopped
4 days
before the procedure and a blood test (prothrombin time) should be
drawn 2 days before the procedure. These test results should be
faxed to the CT section at 401-793-4431.
- Stop taking anti-inflammatory medications (i.e., motrin (ibuprofen),
indocin, Naprosyn, etc.) 7 days prior to the procedure. It is okay to
take Tylenol (acetaminophen).
- Important: If you take aspirin or blood thinners (i.e.,
coumadin) less than 4 days
before the procedure, please call the CT scheduler at 401-793-4430 as
the procedure will need to be rescheduled for a later date.
- If your doctor ordered blood tests that were
done outside of The Miriam Hospital, bring the results with you or
have them faxed to our department at 401-793-4431.
- If you have outside x-ray tests such as a CT scan, MRI scan,
ultrasound or plain x-ray, please bring them with you.
The night before:
- Do not eat any food or drink after midnight.
The day of the procedure:
- Take your regular medications (except for those listed above) with
a sip of water in
the morning.
- Bring x-ray studies and blood test results with you to the
hospital.
- If you have trouble understanding English, bring a family member or
a friend who
can translate for you.
- At the hospital, first report to the admitting department to register
for your exam and receive your blue card.
- Admitting staff will then direct you to the CT department, which
is on the first floor.
- The procedure and recovery time usually take up to 3 hours.
- You will need somebody to drive you home and be with you the night
after the procedure.
For more information
about computed tomography at The Miriam Hospital call 401-793-4402 or e-mail
KLaurie@Lifespan.org. Back
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