Preparation for Test
Welcome and thank you for choosing Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center for your procedure. Our physicians and technologists are dedicated to providing highly skilled and compassionate care for you and your family. We understand that you may be apprehensive about your procedure. We hope the following information will be helpful to you as you prepare for the procedure.
The Ultrasound Unit is on the 1st floor of Memorial’s Main Building.
Click here to view a list of all Ultrasound locations within the Conemaugh Health System
We want to make your experience as comfortable as possible. If you have any questions or concerns that are not answered here, please do not hesitate to call your physician or the Ultrasound Unit at (814) 534-3841 between 630 AM and 1100 PM.
Before your Test
Your physician’s office will schedule the date and time of your appointment with Central Scheduling. They will instruct you on any special preparations, which vary depending on the type of test, and what time to arrive at the hospital. If you can’t remember the preparation involved or when you are scheduled please call your physician or the Radiology Department at (814) 534-9166 between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
If you have questions about your insurance coverage or pre-certification, call your insurance company. If you are not covered by insurance, please make arrangements for payment by calling the business office at (814) 410-8470.
You may need to follow a special diet for up to 24 hours prior to the procedure. You may need to drink extra liquids prior to your procedure. You may be required to fast for your procedure and instructed to take your routine medication by the physician or scheduler. Please take them only with a small sip of water. If diabetic, check with your physician for instructions on your diabetic medications.
If you develop a cough, cold, abnormal temperature, sore throat or flu-like symptoms; or if you come in contact with anyone suffering from measles, chickenpox or any other communicable disease within 2 weeks prior to your scan; please call your physician. It may be necessary to reschedule your scan for a time when you are feeling better.
The Day of your Scan
Wear loose-fitting, clean, comfortable clothing and flat shoes.
Children under 18 years of age or incapacitated adults must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. You may be accompanied by one adult family member or friend. Children should not accompany adults having any procedures.
Please bring any order that your physicians office provided for you. If you were not contacted by pre-certification please bring your identification and insurance cards.
Please bring a list of your medicines, over-the- counter drugs, and herbal drugs. Also bring a list of allergies to food, latex, or medicine.
Parking is available in the parking lots outside of the buildings. At the Main campus you can park in the garage on Franklin Street or use the valet at the Main Entrance on Franklin Street. Please bring your parking ticket with you to receive a token for free parking in the garage.
When you arrive at the hospital on the day of your procedure, check in at the Outpatient Registration desk. At the Main Campus it is to the left in the main lobby on the first floor. You will be registered and then escorted to the Ultrasound department waiting area. Once there you will sign in at the desk. You may be asked to change into a gown.
Healthcare professionals will be available in this area to make you comfortable and to answer your questions. Your safety is our number one priority.
The staff may ask you the same questions several times; they will ask your name, birth date, what procedure you are having done, your medications and your allergies. By repeating our questions, we are verifying and re-verifying very important information to ensure that your time with us is as safe as possible.
During the Test
You will meet the technologist when you are taken into the procedure room. They will help you onto the exam table and prepare you for your procedure. The technologist will explain everything that is happening. You will need to move your clothing or gown to expose the area but the staff in the room will maintain your privacy by keeping you covered as much as possible. The room will be darkened for better visualization on the monitor. You may be asked to lie still or move in different positions.
A conduction or ultrasound gel will be spread over the area to be tested. The gel helps the sound waves pass through your body. It may feel a little cool. A small plastic device called a transducer will be moved across the area. The technologist may have to apply some pressure with the transducer to get a more accurate image. It is connected to an ultrasound machine with a monitor. You may not be able to see the monitor. When the ultrasound is complete, the technologist will make sure he or she has all the information the doctor will need. Sometimes more images are needed.
Some Types of Ultrasound Tests
Carotid, Thyroid, Scrotal, Breast and Leg Doppler Ultrasound
No preparation is required for these exams. This ultrasound will take approximately 30 minutes.
Leg Doppler Ultrasound Mapping for the Vein Clinic Pre-testing
No preparation is required for this exam. This ultrasound will take approximately 60 minutes. It will take an additional 30 minutes to meet with the Physician Assistant to review and discuss your upcoming procedure.
Abdominal (Gallbladder, Liver, Pancreas or Aorta) Ultrasound
You will be required to be on a 24 hour fat-free diet. Fat free means no milk, no butter, no salad dressing, and no ice cream. This diet includes fruits, vegetables, plain gelatin, plain rice, plain baked potato, skinless broiled chicken without butter). Do not eat or drink after midnight.
This ultrasound will take approximately 30 minutes for the exam. If you need to take medication take it with a few sips of water.
OB Ultrasound
You will be required to drink three 8-ounce glasses of fluid. Do not drink milk. You must be done drinking all the fluids 1 hour prior to your exam time. You must have a full bladder for this exam. This ultrasound will take approximately 60 minutes.
Pelvic Ultrasound
You will be required to drink four or five 8-ounce glasses of fluid. Do not drink milk. You must be done drinking all the fluids 1 hour prior to your exam time. This ultrasound will take approximately 45 minutes.
Renal and Bladder Ultrasound
You will be required to drink two 8-ounce glasses of water. You must be done drinking all the fluids 30 minutes prior to your exam time. This ultrasound will take approximately 30 minutes.
US Guided Thyroid Biopsy
You will need to stop taking all of your blood thinners 5 days prior to your procedure. This includes Coumadin, Plavix and Aspirin. Please contact your Interventional Radiologist at (814) 534-9583 for further instructions or any questions you may have.
You will be admitted through Ambulatory Surgery. You will need to sign a consent form. If the patient is unable to sign, the next of kin or the power of attorney must be contacted to call US at extension (814) 534-3841 to give a verbal consent. You must be NPO four hours prior to the exam. You will be taken to the Ultrasound Suite for your biopsy .Once the biopsy is complete you will go back to Ambulatory where you will be monitored for several hours. Once your vital signs and biopsy site are stable you will be discharged.
After Your procedure
Once the technologist has all the images the physician requires, they will wipe off the conduction gel and assist you off of the table. You can leave immediately after your test. The technologist can not discuss results with you. Your time in the ultrasound department will vary between 30 and 60 minutes per test depending on the procedure you are having done.
The exam will be reviewed by a Radiologist and the results will be sent to the doctor who ordered your exam. Your results will be reviewed with you at your next physician’s office visit. If your testing was ordered STAT by your physician, the physician will provide a technical preliminary report to the ordering doctor and will relay any pertinent instructions which your doctor provides.
Thank-you for allowing us to care for you during your Ultrasound testing.