Manager approved by Anthony Mobilio on 4 May 2026.
When a patient asks what they need to do beforehand — this is the fast lookup. One page, every modality, so you don't have to click through each one while the patient is on the phone. If a scan type isn't here (or the prep looks site-specific), confirm with the tech/sonographer before reading it out.
• 1 hr fast before appointment (not required if URGENT, or for spine/extremities/HRCT/KUB/pelvimetry) • Remove all jewellery, false teeth, hearing aids • Contrast studies: book in a Contrast appointment slot • Abdo/pelvis: oral contrast — 1 glass every 20 min starting 45 min before (save last glass for scan room); site dependent • Non-contrast Brain unless specifically requested as Angio • Abdomen (55036): 6hr fast, water + meds only. Paeds 10-16: 4hr fast. Paeds <10: 2hr fast. • Renal / Urinary tract (55058): empty bladder 1-2hr before, then drink 1L water. Do NOT empty before appt. • Pelvis (55065): same as renal — bladder filling required. Internal (TV) scan likely; sonographer discusses on the day. • Obstetric <22wk: empty bladder 1hr before, then 1-3 glasses water (varies by scan). • Obstetric 3rd trimester: no prep. • Breast / Scrotum / Neck / Thyroid / Orbits: no prep. If mammo same day — no talc or powder; book mammo FIRST if patient >40. • Vascular abdo (aorta, renal arteries, 55276/55278): 4hr fast, water + meds. • Lower limb arteries (55238): 4hr fast, water + meds. • All MSK, vascular limb veins, head/neck vessels: no prep. • No fasting or special prep • Wear clothing without metal (zippers, buttons, underwire) around hips and spine — gown available if needed • Bring any previous DEXA reports and the date of last scan • Flag recent nuclear medicine, CT, or barium studies in the past week (can affect scan) • Advise: if Medicare criteria aren't met, full fee applies • No fasting or special preparation • Remove all jewellery from the facial area (earrings, nose rings, facial piercings) • Remove removable dental plates / dentures before imaging • Glasses and hearing aids off in the room XR
X-ray has no patient prep. The only question to ask at booking (and again on arrival) is whether the patient could be pregnant — if yes, flag to the radiographer before the exposure. No fasting, no bladder filling, no special clothing; most sites accept walk-ins.
Prep can vary by site
The rules above are the default. Some sites have their own variation — especially CT abdo/pelvis oral contrast and obstetric US bladder filling. If the patient's scan is at a site you don't work at often, confirm with the tech or sonographer on the day before you give fasting instructions.
We don't offer MRI or mammography