Bone Density Test
- Please wear clothing that doesn’t have buttons, zippers, or any metal clasps.
- Bring a list of all medications you are currently on.
- Do not take any calcium vitamins on the day of the exam.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Breast Screening
Breast Intervention (Biopsy/Localization)
- Take all prescribed medications as directed by your family doctor.
- It is suggested that you wear a two-piece outfit, so you can change into your robe more easily.
- If you have any allergies, please let the technologist know.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out-of-town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Diagnostic Breast and Axilla Ultrasound
- It is suggested that you wear a two-piece outfit, so you can change into your robe more easily.
- Do not use deodorant, body powder, or lotion before exam.
- If possible, refrain from caffeine for 2 days before your exam to minimize discomfort during compression (this includes chocolate, pop, tea, decaffeinated beverages, protein powders, vitamin water, etc.).
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out-of-town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Diagnostic Mammography
- It is suggested that you wear a two-piece outfit so you may change into your robe more easily.
- Do not use deodorant, talcum (body powder), or lotion/oil before the exam.
- If you have significant premenstrual breast tenderness, you may reschedule your appointment.
- We recommend avoiding caffeine intake for 2 days prior to your mammogram to decrease discomfort during your exam.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out-of-town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Screening Mammography or ABUS
- It is suggested that you wear a two-piece outfit so you may change into your robe more easily.
- Do not use deodorant, talcum (body powder), or lotion/oil before the exam.
- If you have significant premenstrual breast tenderness, you may reschedule your appointment.
- We recommend avoiding caffeine intake for 2 days prior to your mammogram to decrease discomfort during your exam.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Additional Information for Screening Mammograms:
- Women can self-refer without a doctor’s requisition in Alberta if they are 40 years of age or older and have had a prior mammogram with a doctor’s referral.
- Women with any history of breast cancer are considered to be at higher risk, therefore they require a doctor’s referral and/or physical examination before their mammogram.
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Heart (Echocardiogram)
- Leads will need to be placed on your chest, so wear flexible clothing, that can be removed from the waist up.
- Sometimes your chest may need to be shaved or cleaned so the electrodes can be properly attached.
- Do not use deodorant, body powder, or lotion before the exam.
- Continue to take your medications as normal unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Walk-In X-Ray
- No special preparation required.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
GI Fluoroscopy
Esophagus, Stomach and Duodenum (ESD)
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam; this includes no smoking, chewing gum, or candy. Your throat must be absolutely dry.
- If possible, please refrain from taking any oral medications before your exam. Anything not taken by mouth is alright- ie. patches worn for health reasons are fine. We encourage patients to bring their medication to the exam, so they can take it afterward.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Small Bowel Follow Through
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam; this includes no smoking, chewing gum, or candy. Your throat must be absolutely dry.
- If possible, please refrain from taking any oral medications before your exam. Anything not taken by mouth is alright- ie. patches worn for health reasons are fine. We encourage patients to bring their medication to the exam so they can take it afterward.
- This exam lasts approximately 1-3 hours as the contrast agent travels at different rates in each person.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Pain Management
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Refrain from taking NSAIDs 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks post-injection
- Continue low-dose aspirin if prescribed by a physician
- Cease anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy for tenotomy
- Do not take vitamin E or fish oil for at least 3 days prior to injection
- Eat a small snack 1 hour prior to treatment (to minimize vasovagal reactions)
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
All Other Pain Management Exams
- Important: Please reschedule your Pain Management procedure if it is within 1 week of a COVID-19 immunization. Patients must wait 1 week between a COVID-19 immunization and a Pain Management procedure.
- Patients having Bi-Lateral Hip, Nerve Root Block, or Epidural Steroid injections must arrange for a driver or other transportation following their procedure.
- Patients having Facet injections or Radio Frequency Ablation are not forced to arrange for a driver, however, we recommend you find one to err on the side of caution. Procedures can be lengthy and we do not recommend you operate a motor vehicle after the procedure.
- Most patients receiving Joint Injections or Medial Branch Blocks should be fine to return to work the same day, depending on their occupation and injection site. Most patients are also fine to operate a motor vehicle following these procedures. If you have any questions or concerns talk to your doctor or our technologist after the procedure.
- For spine injections please avoid chewing gum or carbonated drinks on the day of your exam. Additionally, please consult with your doctor and confirm with our booking agents if you need to discontinue any medications before your exam and for how long.
- Please inform us if you are:
- ◦ Diabetic
- ◦ On any antibiotics for any active infections
- ◦ Are pregnant or if there is any chance of pregnancy
- If you use Coumadin (blood thinner), please contact Pain Management directly to discuss your options.
- If you are currently experiencing nasal congestion from a cold or allergies, or you have nasal congestion when you lay down on your back, you are required to bring an over-the-counter nasal decongestant spray such as Drixoral No Drip Original Unscented Spray to use when directed at your appointment.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Ultrasound Exam
Pelvis
- Wear comfortable clothes.
- Empty your bladder 90 minutes before your exam, then drink four (8oz) glasses of water, finishing all four glasses at least 60 minutes before your exam. Please refrain from urinating until the exam has been completed.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Abdomen, Liver Elastography, or HCC Screening
- Wear comfortable clothes.
- For morning appointment: Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night before the exam.
- For afternoon appointment: Nothing to eat or drink 6 hours before the exam. You are allowed a light breakfast of toast, coffee or tea (no dairy products).
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Abdomen and Pelvis
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Do not eat anything after midnight the night before the exam – if you have booked your exam for the afternoon, do not eat anything for 6 hours before the exam.
- ◦ AND the day of your appointment, empty your bladder 90 minutes before your exam, then drink four (8oz) glasses of water, finishing all four glasses at least 60 minutes before your exam.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Heart (Echocardiogram)
- Leads will need to be placed on your chest, so wear flexible clothing, that can be removed from the waist up.
- Sometimes your chest may need to be shaved or cleaned so the electrodes can be properly attached.
- Continue to take your medications as normal unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Joint (Musculoskeletal-MSK)
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Prior to this exam and depending on the joint, if no recent X-rays are available, we may need to obtain an X-ray prior to your exam.
- Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Kidney, Ureters, & Bladder (Renal)
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Empty your bladder 90 minutes before your exam, then drink four (8oz) glasses of water, finishing all four glasses at least 60 minutes before your exam. Please refrain from urinating until the exam has been completed.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Pregnancy (Obstetric)
- Wear comfortable clothing.
- Empty your bladder 90 minutes before your exam, then drink four (8oz) glasses of water, finishing all four glasses at least 60 minutes before your exam. Please refrain from urinating until the exam has been completed or you consult with your sonographer.
- One other person will be allowed in the exam room with you for the whole duration of the exam.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
Vascular
- Take all prescribed medications as directed.
- If you are having a Carotid Ultrasound, please wear a top that allows easy access to your neck. For other vascular ultrasounds, you may be asked to change into a gown, or to remove your pants or top, depending on whether your arm or leg is being examined.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment
All Other Ultrasound Exams
- Wear comfortable clothes accordingly depending on the area being scanned.
- Please arrive 15 minutes early, bring your requisition (unless your physician already submitted it on your behalf), Alberta Health Care card (or out of town province health care card), and photo identification with you to your exam!
Patients who forget their requisition will likely need to defer their appointment