PET/CT Scans at Annie Penn Hospital
Annie Penn Hospital offers PET/CT scans, making it easy for those in Rockingham County and nearby areas to have access to this technology. PET/CT scans are a safe way to give providers information about how your body is working. These scans can be used to diagnose disease or make treatment plans/adjustments.
PET Scan Overview
A PET scan can show multidimensional, color pictures of the inside of the body.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans are:
- a chance to see how well organs or tissues in the body are working
- a way to look for disease changes in the body
- a tool to help physicians with a treatment plan for a patient
A patient getting a PET scan has a safe radioactive chemical called a radiotracer injected into their body. Then the provider uses a PET scanner to see the inside of the patient’s body. Any diseased cells in the body will absorb more radiotracer, which gives the provider helpful information about the patient’s health. PET scans are often used for patients having cancer treatments (to see how well the treatment is working).
It's common for PET scans to be used with computerized tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but remember these are all different imaging tests. CT scans use X-rays and MRI scans use magnets and radio waves. All three tests result in pictures of the patient’s organs. PET scans show how an organ is working in real time, which can show cellular changes in the body earlier than CT or MRI scans.
Annie Penn uses a PET/CT scanner that combines the anatomical and functional information to give the most precise information to the providers to help with diagnosis.
Insurance Coverage/Payment Information
Annie Penn Hospital works with most major health insurance carriers. Before your PET/CT scan, we recommend contacting your insurance company to make sure that Annie Penn Hospital/Cone Health and your specific scan are included in your network coverage. Your insurance company can also let you know about any co-payment or deductibles that will be related to your scan.
We also offer a tool to help you estimate the charges you will be responsible for when it comes to your PET/CT scan. Access that tool here.
If you do NOT have health insurance, we still want to give you the care you need. We offer financial assistance (for both the insured and uninsured), and you can reach out to us at (336) 951-4000 to talk more about it.
Preparing For Your PET/CT Scan
Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time for registration. It is very important that you call the scheduling team at (336) 951-4000 at least 24 hours before your appointment if you cannot make it.
Please follow the instructions below and arrive on time. Both are important for a successful PET scan. If you do not, your appointment will be rescheduled.
General Preparation
- Do not exercise or drink caffeine the day of your appointment.
- Do not eat for six hours before your appointment – not even gum, candy, mints or cough drops.
- Drink ONLY plain water (no lemon) during this six-hour period to remain hydrated.
- No Gatorade, Propel or flavored waters.
- You may take your medications if they can be tolerated on an empty stomach.
- Your appointment will last at least 90 minutes but can take up to two hours.
Diabetic Preparation
Please follow these guidelines. The goal is to have a blood glucose range of <260 for diabetic patients.
- Do not exercise or drink caffeine the day of your appointment.
- Eat a small, high-protein, low-carb meal at least four hours before your appointment.
- Drink ONLY plain water (no lemon) during this six-hour period to remain hydrated.
- No Gatorade, Propel or flavored waters.
- If your diabetes is controlled by oral medication only, you may take these with your small, high-protein, low-carb meal at least four hours before your appointment.
- If your diabetes is controlled by insulin, please take your insulin as prescribed at least four hours before your appointment and closely monitor your glucose level.
What To Expect During Your PET/CT Scan
Plan on 90 minutes to two hours for your PET/CT scan appointment.
- An Annie Penn Hospital care team member will inject a safe radioactive drug called a tracer into your arm or hand.
- This shot may feel cold, but should not be painful.
- After the shot, you’ll sit still in a chair for 45-60 minutes so your body can absorb the tracer.
- You will use the restroom just before getting on the table for the scan so you can remain comfortable throughout.
- You’ll lie down on a narrow, padded table and be slid inside the PET/CT machine.
- You’ll be in the machine for about 20 minutes.
- It’s important that you stay still and quiet while in the scanner.
- The PET/CT scanner does make some minor noise, but the test will be painless.
- If you suffer anxiety from small enclosed spaces, be sure to tell your provider before the scan. They can help you get ready for the scan, including giving you medication to help ease your anxiety.
- After the scan, you can go about your day as normal unless told otherwise by a care team member.
- Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to help flush the tracer from your body after the scan.
Risks & Side Effects
A PET/CT scan is an incredibly safe way for your provider to gain information about what’s going on in your body.
Though any exposure to radiation can be a concern, the amount of radiation you are exposed to during a PET/CT scan is VERY low and considered quite safe.
