Preparation of Thoracic CT Scanning

This may begin as early as when the patient makes appointment or is on the ard as an impatients:for the patient to have prior information about the in-patient procedure that has been requested is good background preparation. Information leaflets at reception, in the waiting room or sent to the ward are useful. Any allergy or asthma history should be obtained as early as possible if steroid cover is to administration, dependent upon department policy.

This scanning procedure should be explained clearly and  concisely to the patient as well as the necessity and purpose or oral and IV contrast. The patient should be given an idea as to the duration of the examination and told how they can be communicate with the radiographer. Reassurance that they can be heard and spoken to often helps patient, as well as a frequent update as to how well the procedure progressing, In the writer experience, an explanation as to why it may appear to the patient that, on occasion, nothing is happening, is useful; this is when patient may become anxious and is often due to radiographer concentration on images rather than on the patient! This may be the 10^th scan of the day, but to patient it is the one and only and can make a lasting impression; a relaxed patient is still one making the procedure easier for everyone.

Breath-holding techniques are very important for thorax scanning and should, therefore, be explained to and practiced with the patient

All patient details , as far as possible, should be enters prior to positioning the patient since this also reduces the time the patient is lying in scanner.