Information for patients who are having a CT Scan at Ely Community Diagnostic Centre

This information is for all patients undergoing CT examinations at the Ely Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at the Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely

Cambridge University Hospital has a CT scanner located at the Ely Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely. You are receiving this leaflet because your CT scan has been booked to take place at the Princess of Wales Hospital rather than at Addenbrooke’s CT Hospital.

How long will I be in the department?

This depends on the type of scan you are having but expect to be with us between 30 minutes to 1 hour. This includes preparation, explanation, scan and post-scan procedures.

What to do when you arrive

The Ely Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) is located opposite the Main Entrance to the Princess of Wales Hospital, Lynn Road, Ely. Please report to Reception at the CDC on arrival for your CT scan. You will be greeted by a member of staff who will check you in for your scan appointment and show you where to wait.

Staff you are likely to meet

You will meet:

• CT Radiographer
• Health Care Support worker

Preparation for procedure/examination

Some scans require oral preparation (either a contrast drink or water) and / or a contrast injection into a vein. Please refer to your appointment letter for more information.

Oral preparation (contrast)

You may be asked to arrive up to an hour before the scan for you to drink an oral contrast that highlights your bowel. The contrast is mixed with water. You will be given 2 cups on your arrival. Each cup should be sipped slowly over 30 minutes. It does not taste of anything but we can add cordial to it if you prefer. Your appointment letter will indicate if you can eat and drink as normal prior to the scan.

Oral preparation (water)

If your appointment letter states that you require water preparation, you will need to arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment and follow these instructions:

You will be asked to drink some water on your arrival at the CT Department to enhance your pictures. The Radiographer will inform you when to start drinking

You may drink water, cordial, tea and coffee with milk and sugar if you wish prior to your scan

Do NOT eat for 4 hours prior to your scan appointment

Do NOT chew chewing gum or drink fizzy drinks for 4 hours prior to your scan appointment

Benefits

CT scans can give doctors information to help them diagnose a variety of conditions. The scans can help to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis, or occasionally identify a condition that was not even suspected.

Risks

The scan involves exposure to radiation in the form of x-rays. However, the amount you are exposed to during the scan is very small.

If you have an injection, you may feel a warm flush, a sensation of ‘passing water’, and a metallic taste in your mouth.

Very rarely there may be bruising at the site of the injection.

What will happen on the day of my procedure/examination?

• This will depend on what type of scan you are having. A radiographer will explain the procedure to you before your scan.
• Many CT examinations involve having a dye injection (contrast) to increase the quality of information obtained from the scan.
• A small cannula may be inserted into a vein in your arm. Contrast will be injected through this. It contains iodine and is not radioactive.

Accessibility requirements

A CT scanner uses x-rays to obtain images which will help the doctors plan your future treatment. The CT room is spacious. You will be lying on a couch which moves through a large hole in the middle of the scanner. Most of the time you can see out of either one side or the other, and the radiographer who is doing the scan will be able to speak to you through an intercom.

Let us know in advance if you need additional assistance because of mobility issues.

It is important to tell us beforehand on 01223 808522 if:

• you are pregnant
• you are claustrophobic
• you have kidney problems
• you are unable to lie flat
• you weigh 150kg or more
• are difficult to cannulate
• you have mobility issues
• you could require oxygen during your visit

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 us by email or telephone: 01223 256998.

Pregnancy status

We have a legal responsibility to enquire if you are pregnant. 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/before you enter the strong magnetic field of the scanner.

You can discuss this with a healthcare professional in private if you wish.

Medication

Take all prescribed medications on the day of your scan as usual, unless otherwise instructed on your appointment letter.

Can I bring someone with me?

You can bring a relative or friend, but they will have to wait in the waiting room during the scan.

Childcare whilst in department

Staff are unable to look after or supervise children whilst your procedure/examination 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

Personal belongings can be taken into the scanning room with you. You may be asked to remove metal if it overlies the area of the body we are scanning.

What happens after my procedure/examination?

• Most people will be free to go home.
• You may eat and drink as normal.
• Continue to drink plenty of fluids for the remainder of the day, especially if you have been given an injection.

Possible side effects and additional aftercare

• The contrast injection usually causes nothing more than a warm feeling passing around your body.
• Most scans take about 15 minutes.
• You may be given breathing instructions to follow during your scan.

How, when and by whom will my 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 after the examination has been reported to when it is available on MyChart, 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.

Facilities available

• Toilet
• Refreshment vending

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Directions to the department

The full address is:

Ely Community Diagnostic Centre,

Entrance C,

Princess of Wales Hospital,

Lynn Road,

Ely,

CB6 1DN

The Princess of Wales Hospital, Ely, is approximately 15 miles north of Cambridge. You should put Davison Road in your sat-nav, rather than Lynn Road.

There is free parking available at the Princess of Wales Hospital.

Question, concern or complaint?

Firstly speak to your nurse, doctor or other staff member as soon as you can so they can do their best to put things right straightaway.

If you don’t feel able to speak directly to the people caring for you, contact the patient advice and liaison service (PALS).

Please call 01223 216756 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday, email PALS, or via a form available via link on the CUH PALS webpage.

PALS is open every weekday, and you can leave a message in the evenings and weekends.

MyChart

We would encourage you to sign up for MyChart. This is the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals that enables patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospital’s electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or mobile device.

More information is available on our website.