How to prepare

Some examinations require specific preparations before you arrive. Your health care team or doctor should always provide this information to you ahead of time. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact us and ask about any special preparations for your procedure.  You can reach us at 613-549-6666 extension 2301 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. 

If our receptionist is unable to answer your questions or inquiry, they will refer you to a medical radiation technologist, registered nurse or booking clerk who will be able to help you. For more information about specific preparations for x-ray examinations and CT scans, please read below. 

Preparing for an X-ray

You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam.  Due to the nature of general x-ray examinations and the likelihood that metal objects will show up on your x-rays image, you may be asked to remove clothing and jewelry, and wear a hospital gown for the procedure.  All other metallic or dense objects within the area where the x-ray will be focused will need to be removed, including items such as dentures, hearing aids, and hairpins for neck, shoulder, or head x-rays. If at all possible, it is best to minimize the amount of jewelry that you wear when coming for x-rays of your chest, shoulder, spine, or abdomen.

Preparing for a CT scan

You should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to your exam, however you may be asked to wear a hospital gown due to the nature of your procedure. Metal objects including jewelry, eyeglasses, dentures and hairpins may affect the CT images and should be left at home or removed prior to your exam. You may also be asked to remove hearing aids and removable dental work.

You may be asked not to eat or drink anything for several hours beforehand, especially if a contrast material will be used in your exam. Please inform your doctor of any medications you are taking and if you have any allergies. If you have a known allergy to contrast material, or "dye," your doctor may prescribe other medications to reduce the risk of a reaction.

Also, please inform your doctor if you have had any recent illnesses or other medical conditions, and if you have a history of heart disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney disease or thyroid problems. If you are a woman you should inform your doctor and the CT technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant.

NUCLEAR MEDICINE