Ultrasound Information
If you’ve been referred for a Ultrasound scan at an InHealth Community Diagnostic Centre, you may be wondering what happens next. We understand that patients may be anxious about the scan and/or the process. Don’t worry, we have created lots of information here, so you can know what to expect. You will also receive this information in the post soon after your appointment is booked.
About your Ultrasound scan
What is an Ultrasound scan?
An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to take pictures of the body. The waves travel through the skin and echo (‘bounce back’) from the soft tissues and blood vessels to create an image. A sonographer performs the scan, interprets the image and writes a report that is sent to your referrer. There are no side effects from this examination.
You will be asked to lie down on a couch. Some lubricating gel will be applied to the area to be scanned to ensure good contact between the probe and your skin. The probe is similar to a thick blunt pen and is connected to an ultrasound machine and monitor. Pulses of ultrasound are sent from the probe through the skin to the part of the body under examination. The probe is moved over the surface of the skin and an image is produced on the monitor.
Preparing for your scan
If you are having more than one scan, please adhere to the strictest guidance (i.e. if you are having both an abdomen and pelvic scan, please prepare for both).
Abdomen
This scan will include the upper abdomen and abdominal aorta. To get good images you must have an empty stomach. Please do not eat anything for 6 hours before your appointment and only drink water during this time.
If you are diabetic, please check with your GP or nurse if you need to change your medication. Please ensure you take your medication with you and take it when needed with water. We recommend that you also bring food along to your scan which you can have straight after.
Female Pelvis
In the first instance, this scan will usually be performed transabdominally (placing the probe on the abdomen). You will be required to have a full bladder upon arrival. Please drink at least one litre (2 pints) of water 45 minutes before your appointment. Do not empty your bladder before the scan. If you do not have a full bladder, it may not be possible to complete the scan.
During the examination, the sonographer may also request you to empty your bladder to perform a transvaginal scan (a probe is inserted into the vagina). This gives much clearer pictures of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes compared to the transabdominal scan; particularly when the bladder is not full or when overlying bowel gas obscures the pelvic organs. Written consent is required for this and a chaperone will be present.
Urinary Tract
This scan will include the kidneys, ureters, bladder and in male patients the prostate. To get a good image you must have a full bladder so please drink at least one litre (2 pints) of water 45 minutes before your appointment. Do not empty your bladder before the scan. If you do not have a full bladder, it may not be possible to complete the scan.
No preparation is required for the following scans:
• Anterior Abdominal Wall
• Groin/Inguinal region (i.e. hernia)
• Musculoskeletal (MSK) e.g. shoulder, knee, ankle
• Testes
• Thyroid/Parathyroid
• Vascular/Doppler and Carotid Doppler
Your appointment
If you are unable to attend or need to rearrange your appointment, please have your NHS number to hand and call us on 0333 202 0300. Failure to do so not only deprives another patient of being seen but may also result in your referral being cancelled and returned to the care of your referring clinician.
Please ensure you arrive 15 minutes before the appointment time, late arrival may result in your appointment being rescheduled for another date. Please ensure you are not accompanied by children under the age of 16.
On arrival one of our staff will explain the procedure to you and answer any further questions you may have to ensure you fully understand the scan and are happy to continue. You may be asked to undress and put on an examination gown or just uncover the area to be scanned.
After your scan
The scan usually takes 15-20 minutes, although vascular and MSK scans may take longer.
There are no after effects from the scan. You can return to your normal activities as soon as the scan is over and you leave the diagnostic centre.
The ultrasound report is sent to the doctor who referred you. You should telephone to confirm that they have received your report before arranging an appointment, unless the doctor has made different arrangements with you.
Please note that the sonographer is not allowed to discuss the findings of your scan with you. Any results can only be discussed with you by your GP.
Patient Information Leaflets
You can read and/or dowmload our Ultrasound patient leaflets below. You will also receive paper copies in the post. Please print and bring the completed patient questionnaire to your appointment.