This radiographic examination of your upper digestive tract will be
done by a Radiologist, who is a physician specializing in medical
diagnosis by X-ray, and a technologist, who is an expert in the use of
radiographic equipment.
PREPARING FOR THE EXAMINATION
Relax
You are asked not to eat, drink, smoke, or take
medications after midnight the night before the exam. (Morning hygiene
may be performed.)
Arrive at the hospital 30 minutes prior to your
examination time. Allow yourself approximately two hours for the exam.
If there is a possibility of pregnancy please
inform your doctor or the technologist prior to beginning your
examination.
Follow your diet before the exam.
Allow yourself time for the exam. The exam usually
takes less than half an hour, but due to a hospital setting, emergency
situations arise that can preempt scheduled exams. The Radiologist
Department will do their best to see that everyone is taken care of in a
prompt and courteous manner.
Please relax during the procedure. The staff will do
their best to explain each stage of the exam.
REMEMBER: You have an important role in making
your examination a success.
THE EXAMINATION You will be called from the waiting area and
taken to a dressing booth. There you will be asked to remove your clothing
and put on a hospital gown. For your protection, please keep your
valuables with you at all times. Upon entering the radiographic room the
Radiologist (the doctor who will perform the exam) will ask you questions
about your health history and specific reasons why you are having this
exam. You will be asked to stand behind a screen called a fluoroscope. The
technologist will hand you a cup of white liquid called barium. The
Radiologist will ask you to drink from the cup at times, also to hold your
breath so that the radiographs may be
taken. Radiographs will be taken while you are standing, lying on your
back and on your stomach.
After the Radiologist has taken all the specific radiographs required, the
Technologist will take general radiographs of your upper digestive tract.
You will then be asked to wait in your dressing booth while the
radiographs are developed and reviewed by the Radiologist to make sure
they contain all the necessary information. Occasionally more radiographs
may be needed.
COMPLETION OF THE EXAM
At the completion of the exam you may get dressed, resume
your normal daily routine, and enjoy the day. The doctor who
prescribed the exam will have a typed report sent to him. The films are
kept on file at the hospital as part of your permanent record.
