• instructions on where to go for your CT scan
• details regarding preparation needed before your scan - this may include a period without food, and drinking some barium a set time before your appointment
• details on how to arrange a "prior approval" from your medical insurance company for your CT examinations - this means you can send them the invoice for payment, rather than pay for it first and then claim
• requirements if ACC are to fund your CT examination.
• information about what to do after your CT scan is completed.

You will be asked to change into a gown. It may be necessary to remove metallic objects, such as jewellery, dentures, hearing aids etc.
A trained CT technician (or radiographer) will position you on a bed that will move through a large "donut" shaped x-ray scanner. Images will be taken when the appropriate area for diagnosis lies directly within the donut apparatus. Though the scanning bed will move during the scan, you will be asked to remain very still, and may be asked to hold your breath while some images are taken.

The CT staff will go behind a partition to operate the scanner. They are able to talk to you during the scan and will let you know what is happening. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask at any time. When you are in the CT scanning room, the CT staff can hear you through an intercom.

A CT scan usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. The radiographer will look at the CT images to ensure all the necessary images have been taken. Occasionally they may ask to take some additional images.