Written referral by GP or Consultants
The examination radiologist must check the identity of the patient immediately prior to the scan
The scan will enable the radiologist to scan the neck
No preparation is needed
Clean tidy room, couch roll. Ultrasound gel and gloves
Patient is lying on the table with the neck tilted backwards. Patient covered with couch roll, ultrasound gel is placed on the patient’s neck. The scan takes about 15-20 minutes. The probe is cleaned and disinfected after the scan before reuse
The patient is told the scan is finished and given tissue to clean themselves and then helped down from the table. Washing facilities are made available. No other special aftercare is needed.
Scan findings are communicated with the patient and the report will be faxed to the GP the next working day.