Scheduling a Test
Tests are scheduled by the nurses and clinic staff through the department that performs the test. Since the tests have to go through other departments to get scheduled it may take several days to get completed. Once the details are finalized, either the GI staff or the testing department’s staff will call to inform you of the necessary information. For a detailed description of the tests and their preparations, please see below. If you have additional questions regarding test scheduling, please call the office at (352) 273-9350 or email the nurses.
pH Probe
This is a test done in the hospital where the nurse places a thin plastic wire in the patient’s nostril and passed into the esophagus, where it monitors the pH levels (amount of acid) in the patient’s esophagus. It’s takes between 18-24 hours to complete and usually requires an overnight admission to the hospital. There is no prep required. The pediatric GI nurses schedule these and can be reached at (352) 273-9350 or pedsgi@shands.ufl.edu for additional questions.
Upper GI Series
This is a radiology exam, where the patient has to drink a special dye called barium. As the patient drinks the barium, the x-ray technician takes several x-rays to follow the barium down into the small intestine. The pediatric GI nurses schedule these with the radiology department. For rescheduling or additional questions please call the radiology scheduling department at (352) 265-0104.
Esophagram (Swallow Study)
This is a radiology exam, where the patient has to drink a special dye called barium. As the patient drinks the barium, the x-ray technician takes several x-rays to see the barium go down the esophagus (throat). The pediatric GI nurses schedule these with the radiology department. For rescheduling or additional questions please call the radiology scheduling department at (352) 265-0104.
Barium Enema
This is a radiology exam, where a special dye called barium is inserted to the rectum and then x-rays are taken. The pediatric GI nurses schedule these with the radiology department, for rescheduling or additional questions please call the radiology scheduling department at (352) 265-0104.
Gastric Emptying Scan
This is a nuclear medicine scan where the patient eats eggs mixed with a special dye. Then they lay on a table where pictures are taken to see how long it takes for the stomach to empty the eggs into the small intestine. The pediatric GI nurses schedule these with the nuclear medicine department. For rescheduling or additional questions please call the nuclear medicine scheduling department at (352) 265-7050.