Patient preparation for intravenous urography: are we practising evidence-based medicine?
OBJECTIVE
To identify the current practice of patient preparation prior to intravenous urography (IVU) in England and Wales.


METHODS
Seventy-two hospitals were contacted to request details regarding the duration of fluid restriction, adherence to a low-residue diet, or use of laxatives for patient preparation before IVU examinations.


RESULTS
Results showed that out of 45 hospitals that still use IVU, only six (13.3%) did not follow a patient-preparation regime. The vast majority of the hospitals contacted (87.6%), implemented either fluid and/or food restriction, or prescribed laxatives. The duration of fluid and food restriction varied from 2-12 h duration, and some departments advocated 48 h of laxatives.


CONCLUSIONS
A large proportion of hospitals are not practising evidence-based medicine in relation to IVU, and we suggest that the practice of patient preparation should be abandoned.
Singh
S
S
Department of Radiology, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Cardiff, UK. devsingh74@hotmail.com
Reddicliffe
N
N
Parker
D A
DA
D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004326:Drinking; D004739:England; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005215:Fasting; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D054368:Laxatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014567:Urography / Q000592:standards*; D014852:Wales; D014867:Water
D003287:Contrast Media; D054368:Laxatives; D014867:Water