What is fluoroscopy?
Fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses X-rays to visualise how internal organs of the body move in ‘real time’. We often use an x-ray dye (contrast) to assist in the imaging process by outlining different body parts.
At CUH, we perform over 7,000 fluoroscopy examinations a year. As a team of Radiographers and Radiologists we work alongside many different specialties within the hospital e.g. Urology, Speech & Language Therapy, Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Gastrointestinal and Musculoskeletal, performing a wide range of procedures.
Different procedures
How long will you be in the department?
This will depend on the procedure, but usually no longer than 1 hour. See links to the individual procedure above.
What to do when you arrive
On arrival, please check in at the fluoroscopy/ultrasound shared reception and they will direct you to the fluoroscopy waiting room.
Staff you are likely to meet
As a team of radiographers and radiologists, we work alongside many different teams within the hospital. You may also meet speech therapists, nurses, consultants and health care assistants among others.
Preparation for procedure
For each procedure, there are different preparations. Please click on the link above for your specific procedure above.
Please contact our booking team (via the ultrasound department) in advance of your procedure on 01223 216320 if you:
- Have any questions about this appointment or are unable to keep it
- Might be pregnant
- Require a hoist
Benefits
Fluoroscopy procedures provide doctors with real time, functional information to help them diagnose a variety of conditions. The procedures may help to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis or identify a condition that was not suspected.
Risks
You have been referred for an x-ray examination to help make a diagnosis or monitor your treatment. A specialist in radiology agrees that this is the best test to answer the clinical question that has been asked and that the benefit of the examination is greater than the risk. The x-ray involves a dose of ionising radiation equivalent to a few months or years of natural background radiation, which we are all exposed to every day. Ionising radiation can cause cell damage that may turn cancerous however, the risk of this happening from your examination is considered low. The dose delivered will be kept as low as is practicable.
What will happen on the day of the procedure/examination?
On arrival, please check in at the fluoroscopy/ultrasound reception and they will direct you to the fluoroscopy waiting room. For some examinations we may ask you to change into a hospital gown.
Accessibility requirements
If you require support for your appointment, e.g. if you find it hard to hear, see or be understood by others, please let the receptionist or healthcare professional know on arrival or contact the accessibility team by email or telephone: 01223 256998.
Pregnancy status
We have a legal responsibility to enquire if you are pregnant if we are imaging above the knees and below the diaphragm. Any patient aged between 12-55 years will be asked if there is a possibility, they could be pregnant. This is important for us to know before you have your examination involving ionising radiation.
You can discuss this with a healthcare professional in private if you wish.
Bringing someone with you
Those accompanying you will usually be required to stay out of the examination room during the procedure and remain in the waiting area. There are exceptions, e.g. paediatric patients or those who require a carer.
Childcare whilst in department
Staff are unable to look after or supervise children whilst your procedure is taking place. Please make alternative arrangements for the care of your children whilst you attend for your procedure/examination. If you attend an appointment with children with no one to look after them whilst you have your examination/procedure, then your appointment will unfortunately have to be cancelled and rescheduled.
Personal belongings
It is recommended that you don’t bring anything valuable to the hospital. Please keep all your belongings with you. You may need to remove certain items, such as earrings or necklaces as directed and we recommend you keep them secure.
After your appointment
Please click on the individual procedure link above.
How, when and by whom will results be communicated?
Imaging examinations are reported in order of clinical priority to ensure those with the highest urgency are reported first.
Your referring team or clinician will be responsible for communicating reports back to you.
Test results are made available via MyChart but there is 3 week delay from when an examination has been reported to when it is available on MyChart, in order to allow time for your clinical team to be able to see and action the results prior to them being released to the individual patient.
