Nottingham PET/CT Centre Patient Information ... - InHealth Group

NOTTINGHAMAbout your PET/CT appointmentYou have been referred for a PET/CT scan. This guide will tell you aboutthe procedure and help you prepare for the appointment and what willhappen afterwards.Together delivering excellence in healthcare

What is a PET/CT scan?Your doctor has arranged for you tohave a PET/CT scan. This scaninvolves you receiving an injection(usually in the arm) of a low-doseradioactive form of glucose, which canbe used to provide further informationabout your condition.After a rest period of about an hour,a scan is then carried out which ispainless and usually takes about 30minutes. The scan is a sophisticatedtype of X-Ray that creates a threedimensionalpicture of the inside ofthe body. The images taken producea detailed picture of the internalanatomy. These images will allow yourdoctor to plan your treatment moreaccurately.What preparation do I need?You should not eat for six hours priorto your scan appointment time.Prior to your appointment you shoulddrink plenty of plain water, but pleaseavoid water which is flavoured ordiluted with cordial.Please continue to take your usualmedication on the day of the scanincluding pain killers. Bring yourmedication with you should it coincidewith your scan time.Please leave all jewellery at homeand wear comfortable clothes thatcontain little metal, a tracksuit is ideal.Please avoid strenuous physicalactivity for 24 hours before the scane.g. Horse riding, exercising in the gym.Please contact us if:●●You are pregnant or think that youmight be pregnant●●You are breast feeding●●You are a diabetic●●You have had problems withinjections in the past●●You suffer from claustrophobia

Important information you need toknow about the Nottingham PET/CTCentreYou can bring friends or relatives tothe Nottingham PET/CT Centre butthey must wait in the waiting roomduring your appointment.Please do not bring children or pregnantfriends, because the PET/CT scanuses radiation.What happens on the day of thescan?You can expect to be at the NottinghamPET/CT Centre between two to threehours. You should arrive 15 minutesbefore your scan appointment time.If you realise that you will be late orunable to attend the unit, pleasecontact the Nottingham PET/CTCentre on 0115 993 6624.After you have been greeted atreception, a Technologist will explainthe procedure and then take a shortmedical history from you to assist thedoctor who reads the scan.Please feel free to ask any questionsregarding the PET/CT scan at thispoint.The Technologist will then inject asmall amount of 18FDG (low-doseradioactive form of glucose) into avein in your arm. You will then restfor approximately 1 hour prior to yourscan.You will be asked to visit the toiletand then be taken through for yourscan, which will last approximately 30minutes.You will then be free to leave the PET/CT unit.What precautions do I need to takeafter the scan?Please avoid prolonged close contactwith children and pregnant women for6 hours after the scan.

How much radiation do I receivefrom the scan?Equivalent to a period of a few yearsnatural background radiation.What do I do after the scan?Continue to drink plenty of fluids forthe remainder of the day. After thescan you can eat and drink normallyso please bring something with you toconsume on your way home.How do I get my results?The scan is usually reviewed within48 hours and the result will be sentto the doctor who referred you for thePET/CT scan.The staff at the PET/CT unit cannotissue the results to you.Important InformationThe 18FDG (the radioactive form of glucose) has a very short half-life andtherefore cannot be kept in stock. Production of every dose occurs on themorning of the scan. The manufacturing process is extremely complex andsubsequently, on rare occasions, the production may be unsuccessful or of lowyield with the consequence that we will have to cancel your appointment. Suchincidents are unfortunately out of our control and whilst we will always do ourbest to honour your appointment, inevitably there will be occasions when thisis not possible. In the event of this occurring, we will endeavour to inform youof the cancellation as soon as possible, but this would normally be on the sameday as the scan. We will of course issue you with the next availableappointment date that is convenient to you.

Informed consentThe information contained within thisleaflet is intended to provide you withan overview of the examination ortreatment that you are to receive.Prior to any medical procedure beingcarried out, the healthcare professionalconducting the procedure will describethe nature of the examination ortreatment you are to receive and willdetail any risks associated with theprocedure.It is your right to be given sufficientinformation to be able to make aninformed decision as to whether youwish to continue with the examination/treatment or to refuse to undergo theprocedure.The nature of some examinations andtreatment requires that your consentto continue must be given in writingand a form will be provided for youto sign. Some examinations may onlyrequire your verbal consent. For furtherinformation regarding our consentpolicy, please contact the Centre towhich you have been referred.We take pride in the standard of servicewhich we offer at InHealth. If you dohave reason to complain, however,we take your comments seriously anda full complaints procedure is availableupon request. Please ask a memberof staff at the Centre who will be ableto provide you with a copy, alternativelycall the Central Bookings line on 0845603 0854 for a copy of the policy orto make a complaint. If you areunhappy with our handling of yourcomplaint, you can contact theHealthcare Commission at:Healthcare Commission, FinsburyTower, 103-105 Bunhill Row, LondonEC1Y 8TG.Alternatively you can telephone0207 448 9200 or visit:www.healthcarecommission.org.ukData ProtectionInHealth will keep the information youprovide for internal purposes. We mayalso share the information you provide,but from which you cannot be identified,with those responsible for meetingyour treatment or expenses (or theiragents) for research, statistical,educational, administrative orcontractual purposes (for example,audit and continuous improvement).This will include the National HealthService if you are a NHS patient.If you would like to obtain a copy ofthe most recent Healthcare Commissionreport, please address your requestto the Unit Manager.If you have any comments orsuggestions about our patientinformation leaflet, please also directthem to the Unit Manager.This patient information leaflet isreviewed annually and patientobservations are welcomed as partof that process. Braille, audio CD andlarge print versions of this leaflet areavailable on request.

How to find usThe Nottingham PET/CT Centre | Nottingham City Hospital | Gate 1 |Hucknall Road | Nottingham | NG5 1PBTel : 0115 993 6624 | Email: nottinghampet@inhealthgroup.comBy RoadThe Nottingham PET/CT Centre is situated on the City Hospital Campus onHucknall Road, close to the junction with Valley Road (A6514). Enter the hospitalthrough Gate 1 (the third gate from the roundabout). The PET/CT Centre issituated in Heathfield Way which is on the left just inside Gate 1. There is limitedamount of disabled parking available. The main hospital site has pay and displaycar parks. Please remember to bring change with you and allow plenty of timeto find a parking space.By BusBus routes serving the hospital are 16. 17. 18 and the free Medilink servicewhich runs between the Queens Medical Centre Campus and the CityHospital Campus.PET/CT CentreGate1Gate2NORTH ROADGate3About InHealth LimitedInHealth is a leading provider of diagnostic and imaging servicing operating exclusively in the UK workingpredominantly within the NHS, but also servicing the needs of private health care providers. We deliver excellentprofessional services across a range of modalities. We have a key part to play in the provision of high qualityhealthcare and in the working lives of the professionals within it.The Nottingham PET/CT Centre is run by InHealth Limited.InHealth Limited is a company registered in England and Wales (Registered No. 05190234).The Registered Office is Beechwood Hall | Kingsmead Road | High Wycombe | Bucks | HP11 1JLT: 01494 560000 | F: 01494 560056 | E: info@inhealthgroup.com | W: www.inhealthgroup.com850.1008.v2