CT scans and how long to wait?

[TexNurse]

I have an issue that I need help with. Our ED recently went from barium to gastrografin for CT's. Supposedly you can do a CT in less time, pt's tolerate it better, move patient's quickly. Everyone's happier. Not happening. This is what is happening now: Contrast is brought to patient, told to drink 3 glasses. Drink one every 30 minutes. (1 1/2 hours to drink). Then, the techs want to wait AT LEAST another 1 hour to scan! That is 2 1/2 hours! Average is 3 hours now from start to finish. THEN we have to wait for the scan to be sent to the radiologist, and when he/she calls back, we can dispo the patient.

I can't believe that every CT done in this country for a possible appy or whatever takes over 3 hours. We did better with barium! We originally changed because the barium is not tolerated as well, and that has proven to be true. Not nearly as many people get nauseated now. BUT! The time factor is unbearable! Please let me know your time frames, protocols, etc.! Then I can present other hospital examples..... Thank you so much for you help!

[veetach]

we also use gastrografin,(for Ct of abdomen) 1 cup every 30 minutes, after 90 minutes they can be scanned. Our waiting time comes when we wait for the Rads in AUSTRALIA to read the scan by telerad and then dictate the report and fax it back to us!!!!

It is horrible when we have 5 or 6 CT scans lined up to be done!

[tiredfeetED]

For our Abd CTs we use water approx 1000 cc...once they drink they can go down to CT..5min for scan then 8 min for films then depending day or night for Rad it can be as quick as 10 min or aslong ( at night for telerad) 1hr. If there is a pos. appy..we now have a new prob...(1000 cc of water)!

[erjulie]

Is there a protocol at your place for the contrast + reglan? That is interesting. We, too, have 3 hour waits with the oral contrast, and it's a bit long

[veetach]

we dont have a reglan order with our contrast. But I have also questioned drinking that liter of gastrograffin and then going to the OR with a hot appy..

[erjulie]

I think it pretty interesting that rads in Australia are reading your cts. It's becoming more common, I guess. Globalization...

[RNin92]

I think it pretty interesting that rads in Australia are reading your cts. It's becoming more common, I guess. Globalization...

here in the happy state of illinois the same is done...the rads here use rads in australia so they won't be woken up at night to read scans!!!

pretty neat trick i think...ya gotta give credit were credit is due!!

i wonder how high a priority we are in the states to those rads across the ocean!?

[TinyNurse, RN]

We also use gastro.... and it's one every hour for 3 hours and then scan is 1 hr to 1 1/2 hour after last dose.................... it's difficult telling patients that they are gonna be in the ER for an additional 4-5 hours after initiating the first dose....

funny thing..... most with abd pain tolerate it well. I mix it with sprite.

[GDog7NYC]

If you've ever received Gastrografin po contrast, you'll find it to be very irritating to the stomach.. that stuff is nasty! Ugh. So I always recommend a dose of Reglan or Zofran prior to drinking it. Works like a charm!

[tiredfeetED]

If you've ever received Gastrografin po contrast, you'll find it to be very irritating to the stomach.. that stuff is nasty! Ugh. So I always recommend a dose of Reglan or Zofran prior to drinking it. Works like a charm!

Does no one use just water for there PO contrast??

[GDog7NYC]

Does no one use just water for there PO contrast??

I use grape juice.. it tastes better and smells better if the patient ever throws it up.

[tiredfeetED]

grape juice by itself or with contrast...we just use plain water, by itself...nothing else

[GDog7NYC]

Grape juice and Gastrografin.. If water could serve as contrast media, how much easier would my life be??! LOL