E-Z-EM CT oral contrasts offer distinct advantages over iodine that should make them the contrast of choice for all your abdominal/pelvic scans.
Great fruit flavors for patient compliance
Fast transit time – comparable to iodine
Well tolerated by patients – no iodine side effects
Patients can self-administer at home
Consistent, uniform opacification
Cost-effective dosing and packaging
E-Z-EM CT oral contrasts avoid the problems of iodine allergies, iodine aspiration and hyperperistalsis.1-2 Adverse events associated with E-Z-EM CT oral contrasts are rare. And the few that have been reported were categorized as mild to moderate, not severe. Because E-Z-EM CT oral contrasts are inert and not absorbed by the body, certain complications caused by patient sensitivity may be avoided.2-4 Side effects such as nausea are reduced – especially important for chemotherapy patients – as are diarrhea and bloating.1,4-5
"In our practice, we routinely use barium sulfate suspensions in all routine CT scanning procedures. We favor barium sulfate because it is palatable, unabsorbed by the intestine, and does not have the irritant properties of water-soluble solutions, which may increase peristalsis leading to motion-induced image degradation." 6
Can you depend on your current contrast for consistent imaging through the GI tract?
If the answer is "no", examine these studies and then try Smoothies.
Figure 1. The duodenal bulb is seen here in exquisite detail.
Figure 2. The jejunum is clearly demonstrated in this scan of the abdomen.
Figure 3. Beautifully detailed image of the ileum.
Figure 4. A crisp, classic study of the sigmoid. This is the same patient shown in Figure 1. Note the excellent proximal and distal demonstration of the GI tract.
Great Smoothie Fruit Flavors! Apple, Banana, Berry, and now … Creamy Vanilla
JCAHO Compliance The Joint Commission Medication Management Standards MM.4.20, MM.4.30 and MM.4.40 apply to any department or area where medications are prepared, mixed, or parceled out into unit-dose containers. The way your department prepares and dispenses diagnostic and contrast agents could directly impact your hospital’s ability to maintain its JCAHO accreditation.
Standard
Smoothie Readi-Cat
2
Iodine*/Concentrated Contrast
MM. 4.20 covering accuracy in medication preparation and the prevention of contamination.
Premixed and prepackaged Smoothie Readi-Cat 2 requires no mixing whatsoever.
•
Mixing of iodine compounds and flavorings must be carefully controlled, not approximated.
•
Mixing must be accomplished in a "functionally separate" area.
MM. 4.30 requiring clear labeling of all unit-dose medication containers, whether prepared on site or at a repackaging facility.
The existing labeling of Smoothie Readi-Cat 2 meets all JCAHO requirements and entails no further action by the CT department prior to administration.
•
Each unit dose mixed from a bulk container must be fully labeled, presumably by hand.
•
Every cup prepared by someone other than the person administering the dosage must be labeled with the intended patient's name prior to delivery to the patient.
MM. 4.40 requiring medications to be provided in the most ready-to-administer form available from the manufacturer or, if feasible, in unit doses prepared by the pharmacy or a licensed repackager.
Premixed,
prepackaged Smoothie Readi-CaT 2 already meets this
standard.
•
Together with labeling requirements adds substantial repackaging costs or added costs and workload for the pharmacy.
*Currently, only one oral iodine is available in unit dose.
Carr DH, Banks LM. Comparison of barium and diatrizoate bowel labeling agents in computed tomography. The British Journal of Radiology 1985; 58:393-394.
Megibow AJ, Bosniak AM. Dilute barium as a contrast agent for abdominal CT. AJR 1980; 134:1273-1274.
Kivisaari L, Kormano M. A comparison of diatrizoate and barium sulfate bowel markers in clinical CT. Eur J Radiol 1982; 2:33-34.
Chambers SE, Best JJK. A comparison of dilute barium and dilute water-soluble contrast in opacification of the bowel for abdominal computed tomography. Clinical Radiology 1984; 35:463-464.
Nyman U, Dinnetz G, Andersson I. E-Z-CAT. An oral contrast medium for use in computed tomography of the abdomen. Acta Radiologica Diagnosis 1984; 25:121-124.
Megibow AJ, Balthazar EJ, editors. CV Mosby Company. Computed Tomography of the Gastrointestinal Tract 1986.
