Supporting local health districts (LHDs) and specialty health networks (SHNs) in ensuring patient safety and comprehension for computed tomography (CT) contrast examinations.
Information for health imaging professionals
This contrast administration checklist and medication standing order template were developed to standardise documentation for CT contrast examinations across public medical imaging (radiology) facilities in NSW.
- CT contrast administration implementation flow chart (PDF 593.6 KB)
Assists medical imaging staff in the implementation of the CT contrast administration checklist (state form NHSIS70046) at their site. Local variation in other related protocols and procedures may differ from site to site.
Published: March 2020. Next review: 2026. - Medication standing order template (PDF 309.0 KB)
To be adapted by site drug committees for clinicians and authorising health practitioners who do not have prescribing rights to administer and/or supply specified medicines. LHDs can modify this template to a range of CT intravenous contrast media that they use.
Published: March 2020. Next review: 2026.
CT contrast administration checklist (NHSIS70046)
This state health form must be completed by the patient or staff member prior to the scan, to obtain information about the patient’s health. This form is mandatory across all NSW LHDs.
NSW Health staff can order and print state health forms via Finsbury Green (login required) or use your local print ordering process.
Published: March 2021
The documents meet the requirements of NSW Health policies, such as the Medication Handling (PD2022_032) and Clinical Procedure Safety Policy (PD2017_032). They support medical imaging facilities to perform the examinations, but clinical governance of site-specific protocols remain in the domain of each LHD.
Patient information
A fact sheet to provide information to patients having a CT scan (with or without contrast). It is intended to complement clinical explanation and advice, and covers:
- what a CT scan is (what happens before, during and after the scan)
- contrast injections
- the risks of the scan.
Information should be provided to the patient and/or support person prior to the scan.
- CT scans with or without contrast – Patient information sheet (PDF 451.9 KB)
Published: February 2020. Next review: 2025.