Computed Tomography (CT) Scan

The CT scanning department

The CT scanning department at Bedford Hospital is a busy department with a highly qualified specialist team. We carry out approximately 15,000 scans per year. The department has two GE scanners, A Revolution HD scanner with dual energy capabilities and an OPTIMA 660 with dose modulation. . We carry out a large range of CT examinations including virtual colonography studies. These scanners cover outpatients, inpatients and emergency work.

We will soon have a third CT scanner opening in the Accident and Emergency Department, which will be available 24 hours per day.

CT is open 7 days per week:

Monday to Friday, 8.00 – 20.00

Saturday and Sunday 9.00 – 17.00

Emergency CT is available 24 hrs per day

You will receive a letter and a leaflet this will include all the information you will need to prepare for your appointment. Please read the instructions carefully you may want to wear comfortable clothing and remove any metal clothing such as underwired bras and belts from the area you are having scanned or a team member may ask you to change into a hospital gown.

As part of the CT scan you may need a contrast injection. This will require you to have a cannula sited in your vein in your arm. A contrast liquid called Omnipaque® will be injected into a vein in your arm through the cannula. This will allow us to see your blood vessels during the scan and will provide clearer pictures for your doctors. Using contrast does not usually cause any problems for patients. However, some people can experience side effects. The most common side effects are a general sensation of warmth in your body and/or a metallic taste in your mouth during the contrast injection. Examples of other possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, headache, high or low blood pressure or diarrhoea.

If you have any questions or require further information on the side effects of the contrast, please ask the radiographer before your scan.

It is very important that you complete the safety questionnaire that is provided with your appointment letter and detail any allergies you have. (If you do not receive one this can be completed on the day).

Occasionally if you are having a contrast enhanced CT, there is a small risk that the injection of contrast can leak out under the skin instead of in the vein. If this does happen then further advice will be given to by the radiographer and radiologist at the time of the CT.

The referring doctor may send you for a blood test prior to your CT scan to check your kidney function.

If you have diabetes and are taking Metformin, (Glucamet/Glucophage) please do not take on the day of your scan, the radiographer will tell you what to do with this medication after the scan. Continue with all other medication.

Should you have any doubt about your examination please contact the CT department.

If you are currently breastfeeding, you can continue to do so. After the injection of contrast media a very small percentage of the injected dose enters the breast milk but virtually none is absorbed across the gut of the infant. No special precautions are required and you can carry on breastfeeding as normal. This information is from guidance provided by The Royal College of Radiologists. If you are concerned, you can discard breast milk for 24 hours after the injection.

You will be asked to lie down on the scanner table, it is important to keep still during this scan. It will normally last 5 to 10 minutes depending on your particular examination.

The first scan we take gives us an overview of your body, from this we plan the ‘main scans’. If you are having the contrast injection then you will have this during the main scan. The radiographer will leave the room whilst the scan is taking place. They can still see you on a monitor. The scanner has a microphone built into it, so you can communicate with staff and the radiographer can communicate with you.

If you are anxious about going into the CT scanner, it is important to remember that the CT scanner is wider compared to an MRI scanner. Please see the photos provided of the CT scanners at the hospital.

Be aware the department is not able to give any medication to help reduce anxiety. This will need to be prescribed in advance by your doctor. Should you have any doubt about your examination please contact the CT department.

If you have had the contrast injection, we will ask you to remain in the department for 15 minutes, to check that you are feeling okay before you go home. The cannula will be removed before you leave the department.

A radiologist, (a doctor trained in interpreting scans and X-rays), will report your CT scan, it may also be discussed with other specialists. The radiographer will not be able to tell you any results on the day of the scan. The radiologist will send a report to the doctor who arranged the scan; they will discuss the results with you. It is important to follow-up with your referring doctor to discuss your CT results and determine any necessary next steps.

Phone number 01234 792026

Monday to Friday 8.45 to 17.00