Having a CT scan. Information for patients Radiology. Easy Read

Transcription

1 Having a CT scan Information for patients Radiology Easy Read

2 Easy Read 2 Why am I having a CT Scan? Sometimes we all feel poorly. You went to see your doctor because you do not feel very well or you have a pain in your body. Your doctor wants to find out why you are not feeling very well. The x-ray doctors can look closely inside your body with a CT scan. What is a CT Scan? A CT scanner is a special kind of x-ray machine. It takes pictures of inside your body. A CT scanner can take pictures of all different parts of your body, including your head, chest and tummy. This is what the pictures from a CT scan look like.

3 Easy Read 3 What does a CT scanner look like? A CT scanner looks like a giant polo mint. It is circular with a large hole in the middle and is open at both ends. Who will I meet in the x-ray department? Assistants are the helpers in the x-ray department. They will be around to help you if you need them. Radiographers are the people that do your scan. They will tell you all about what will happen during the scan. If you have any problems or are worried about anything then ask the radiographer to help. Radiologists are x-ray doctors who look at your scan. They will tell your own doctor the results of your scan.

4 Easy Read 4 Where do I go for a CT scan? Your appointment letter will tell you which hospital you need to go to for your scan. If your scan is at the Northern General Hospital You will need to go to the main X-ray reception on D Floor at the Northern General Hospital. If your scan is at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital You will need to go to the main X-ray reception on C Floor at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital. What can I wear? If you do not have any metal (zips or buttons) on your clothes you might be able to have the scan in your own clothes.

5 Easy Read 5 If you do have zips or anything metal on your clothes you might need to get changed into a hospital gown. We will ask you to do this just before you go in for the scan. What happens when I arrive? When you arrive at the X-ray reception, show the receptionist your appointment letter. Everyone coming for a scan will be asked to sit in a waiting room until it is time for the scan. Someone will show you where to wait. An assistant or radiographer will come to collect you from the waiting room to take you for your scan.

6 Easy Read 6 Will I have to drink before the scan? Sometimes people having a scan need to have a special drink. This will show up the inside of your body on the scan pictures. If you need to have a drink, we will give it to you when you are sitting in the waiting room. It is very important that you drink this as it will help the x-ray doctor see the scan pictures more clearly. What happens when I have the scan? The radiographer will ask you to lie on a special bed. He or she will ask you some questions and will tell you all about what will happen. The special bed will move in and out of the scanner as it takes lots of pictures. You will need to hold your breath and will need to keep very still. If you move the pictures will be blurry and you may have to start the test again. The CT scanner is very fast and you will not have to keep still for very long.

7 Easy Read 7 Will I need an injection? Sometimes people having a CT scan need to have an injection of special x-ray dye. This injection helps show up some parts of your body more clearly on the scan pictures. If you need the injection, the radiographer will put a very small needle into your arm so that they can give you the special injection. It is normal to have the injection and it should not hurt you. What do I tell the radiographer? You will need to tell the radiographer: When your birthday is If there is any food or medicine that makes you poorly If you have diabetes and take a medicine called Metformin (Glucophage) If you are a female and have monthly periods you will need to tell the radiographer when your last period was.

8 Easy Read 8 Can someone come in with me? A relative, friend or carer can come with you for your scan. They can stay with you and help you talk to us until you are ready to start the scan. They will have to wait outside the scan room while you are having your scan. The radiographer will be with you for most of the scan but will have to leave the room to take the pictures. You will only be on your own for a few minutes when the pictures are being taken. The radiographer can see you through a big glass window and will be able to talk to you through a microphone when you are having the scan.

9 Easy Read 9 How will I feel after the scan? For some scans you will not feel any different. If you have a special injection you might get some funny feelings like these: Very warm all over your body Funny metal taste in your mouth Feel like you need to go to the toilet It is OK if you have any of these feelings. They will only last for a few minutes. Sometimes the injection can make you feel poorly. This does not happen very often but if it does it can make you feel: Sick Itchy Short of breath If you feel any of these after the injection please tell the radiographer. A doctor will come and see you to make sure you are OK. If you have any of these feelings when you have gone home, go to see your own doctor or go to the hospital.

10 Easy Read 10 What happens after the scan? If you have had an injection you will have to wait in the CT department for another 15 minutes. This is so that we can make sure you feel OK before you leave the hospital. We will tell you when the scan has finished and when you can go home. The x-ray doctor will look at your scan pictures and send the results to your doctor. Your own doctor will ask to see you when he or she has the results. They will talk to you about what the scan pictures show. What if I need help speaking or hearing? Please let us know if you have any problems with speaking or hearing. If we know about any problems we can arrange some help for when you come for your scan.

11 Easy Read 11 We can arrange for someone to help if you use British Sign Language. There is also a hearing loop system in the x-ray department. If you do not speak English, please bring someone with you who can speak English to help you. If there is no one who can speak English at home please let us know before you come to the hospital. We can arrange for someone to help you. How can I contact the department? Contact the CT department if you need to: Find out about an appointment time Change an appointment time Find out about transport to and from the hospital Find out more information about the scan The CT department is open: Monday to Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm.

12 Easy Read Telephone CT and MRI Manager Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Your notes Write down any questions you want to ask or anything you want to remember about your scan. Produced with support from Sheffield Hospitals Charity working hard to fund improvements that make life better for patients and their families Please donate to help us do more Registered Charity No Alternative formats can be available on request. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2016 Re-use of all or any part of this document is governed by copyright and the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 SI 2005 No Information on re-use can be obtained from the Information Governance Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. PD6830-PIL2173ER v3 Issue Date: December Review Date: December 2018