Provider General X-Ray Ordering Guide

Barium Enema

• 1 day prior to exam:
  • Start clear liquid diet the day before exam.
  • Take 4 Dulcolax® laxative tablets with water at 7 p.m.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
• Day of exam:
  • On morning of exam, perform cleansing enemas.
  • Repeat enemas until results are clear.

Barium Enema with Air Contrast

• 2 days prior to exam:
  • Begin clear liquid diet 48 hours prior to exam (this includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
  • Take 4 Dulcolax® laxative tablets with water at 7p.m.
• 1 Day Prior to Exam:
  • Continue clear liquid diet.
  • Take 4 Dulcolax® tablets with water at 7 p.m.
  • Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
• Day of exam:
  • At 6 a.m., begin taking cleansing enemas.
  • Repeat enemas until results are clear.

Barium Swallow

• No prep needed.
• If physician is concerned with stomach as well as esophagus, then UGI should be ordered as well. This will require patient to have nothing by mouth (NPO) after midnight.

Modified Barium Swallow

• No prep needed.
• Must be scheduled with speech pathologist.

Cystogram

• No prep needed.

General Radiography

• No prep needed.

Hysterosalpingogram

• No prep needed.

Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)

• Evening prior to exam, take 4 Dulcolax® laxative tablets at 7 p.m. with water.
• Begin clear liquid diet until exam is performed.
• This exam includes an injection of contrast material that contains iodine. Patients must inform the technologist, radiology nurse and/or physician of any allergies before exam.
• Diabetic patients taking Metformin® should be consulted about alternate glucose control. This is due to possible counteractions of the 2 medicines. The Metformin should be stopped for 48 hours post contrast injection.

Small Bowel Series

• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.

Upper GI Series

• Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.