(403) 527-7334

BGSA Synapse

Proper exam preparation helps us take the best possible images for diagnosis. In fact, some exams may need to be rescheduled if not properly prepared for.

Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time to help us stay on schedule.

Some exams have specific preparation requirements which can be be found below.  If you're still not sure call us at 403-527-7334, or 403-794-4330 if your appointment is in Brooks

ULTRASOUNDS

If not specified below there is no special preparation required for you exam.

Pelvic (Uterus and Ovaries) - FULL Bladder is Needed

  • Drink and eat normally throughout the day.
  • Empty bladder 1.5 hours before exam.
  • Within the next 15 minutes, drink and FINISH, four (4) 8 oz.  glasses of water. (1000 mL)
  • Do not drink any other liquids.
  • Do not empty bladder.
  • If the bladder is not full the examination will be rescheduled.

Renal Duplex Doppler Ultrasound - An EMPTY Bladder is Required

  • The evening before your exam eat a low fat supper. You may have a fat-free snack after supper, but do not eat anything 12 hours before your exam.
  • You may have a glass of water in the morning.
  • You are able to take AM medications
  • If you eat before the exam it will be rescheduled.

Renal (Kidneys and Bladder) - FULL Bladder is Needed

  • Drink and eat normally throughout the day.
  • Empty bladder 1.5 hours before exam.
  • Within the next 15 minutes, drink and FINISH, four (4) 8 oz. glasses of water. (1000 mL)
  • Do not drink any other liquids.
  • Do not empty bladder.
  • If the bladder is not full the examination will be rescheduled.

Obstetrical (Pregnancy) - FULL Bladder is Needed

  • Drink and eat normally throughout the day.
  • Empty bladder 1.5 hours before exam.
  • Within the next 15 minutes, drink and FINISH, four (4) 8 oz. glasses of water. (1000 mL)
  • Do not drink any other liquids.
  • Do not empty bladder.
  • If the bladder is not full, the examination will be rescheduled.

Abdomen – Fasting is required

  • The evening before your exam, eat a low-fat supper. You may have a fat-free snack after supper but do not eat or drink anything other than water after midnight.
  • 30 minutes prior to your exam, drink and FINISH, two (2) 8 oz. glasses of water. (500 mL)  (This gets rid of gas in the bowel that builds up while you sleep).
  • Do not drink any other liquid.
  • You may use the washroom, since a full bladder is not required.
  • If you eat anything before the exam, it will be rescheduled.

Combination exams:

Abdomen/Pelvic, or Abdomen/Pelvic/Renal, or Abdomen/Renal - Fasting AND a FULL Bladder is Needed

  • The evening before your exam, eat a low-fat supper. You may have a fat-free snack after supper but do not eat or drink anything other than water after midnight.
  • On the morning of your exam, empty your bladder 1 ½ hours before the exam.
  • Within the next 15 minutes, drink and FINISH, four (4) 8 oz. glasses of water. (1000 mL)
  • Do not drink any other liquid.
  • Do not empty the bladder.
  • If the bladder is not full, the examination will be rescheduled.

Other Ultrasound Examinations (Breast, Scrotal, Carotid Doppler, Thyroid, Venous Doppler, and Musculoskeletal), do not require any preparation.

Pelvic (Uterus and Ovaries) or Renal (Kidneys and Bladder) - FULL Bladder is Preferred

  • Under 2 years of age - No preparation is necessary
  • 2-6 years of age
    • Eat and drink normally throughout the day.
    • One hour before the appointment, drink and Finish one (1) 8 oz. glass of water. (250 mL)
    • Do not drink any other liquid.
    • Try not to empty the bladder, as this makes for a clearer image.
  • 7-14 years of age
    • Eat and drink normally throughout the day.
    • One hour before the appointment, drink and Finish two (2) 8 oz. glasses of water. (500 mL)
    • Do not drink any other liquid.
    • Try not to empty the bladder, as this makes for a clearer image.

Abdomen – Fasting is required

  • Under 2 years of age - No preparation is necessary
  • 2-14 years of age
    • The evening before the exam, provide a low-fat supper. Your child may have a fat-free snack after supper but do not eat or drink anything other than water after 11:00pm.
    • 30 minutes prior to exam, drink and finish one (1) 8 oz. glass of water. (250 mL)
    • Do not drink any other liquid.
    • They may use the washroom, since a full bladder is not required.

Abdomen/Renal or Abdomen/Pelvic – Fasting AND a FULL Bladder is Preferred

  • Under 2 years of age - No preparation is necessary
  • 2-6 years of age
    • The evening before the exam, provide a low-fat supper. Your child may have a fat-free snack after supper but do not eat or drink anything other than water after 11:00pm.
    • On the morning of the exam, empty the bladder 1 hour before the exam.
    • Within the next 15 minutes, drink and finish one (1) 8 oz. glass of water. (250 mL)
    • Do not drink any other liquid.
    • Try not to empty the bladder, as this makes for a clearer image.
  • 7-14 years of age
    • The evening before the exam, provide a low-fat supper. Your child may have a fat-free snack after supper but do not eat or drink anything other than water after 11:00pm.
    • On the morning of the exam, empty the bladder 1 hour before the exam.
    • Within the next 15 minutes, drink and finish, two (2) 8 oz. glasses of water. (500 mL)
    • Do not drink any other liquid.
    • Try not to empty the bladder, as this makes for a clearer image.

GENERAL RADIOLOGY (XRAY)

No specific preparation required.

If your doctor or care provider gave you a requisition please bring it with you.

Please note children cannot be left unattended at the clinic & generally cannot accompany you into the exam room, please arrange child care if needed.

MAMMOGRAPHY

On the day of your exam, please wash off all deodorant, powders or lotions from under your arms and across the chest.

The ideal time to perform a mammogram on women who have menstrual cycles is seven (7) to ten (10) days after the onset of their period, since the breasts will be less tender.

If able, please refrain from caffeine for 24-48 hours prior to your exam – this will make the exam more comfortable for you.

BONE DENSITOMETRY

Do not wear any clothing with zippers or metals.

Please come prepared with a list of your current medications.

Please allow 7 days after all Nuclear Medicine and Barium Studies.

PAIN MANAGEMENT

You may be required to suspend the use of blood thinners, please consult with your physician.

You cannot be taking anti-biotics at the time of the injection.  Please call our office to reschedule at 403-527-7334 ext 142

BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS

If there is any chance of PREGNANCY, YOU MUST REBOOK.  You will be required to change into a gown & you must remove all jewelery.

 

Our Synapse Viewer has been upgraded and is now browser based & compatible with any modern browser, like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.  No software is required on your device.

If you already had access you should be able to login to the new version here BGSA Synapse using the same username & password.  This DOCUMENT has more info on that.

All of our images and reports are available on Alberta Netcare usually within a few minutes after our radiologist has signed off on the report, but if you’d still like Synapse access then please read our POLICY, and then complete & return these FORMS and we’ll be happy to set you up with an account.