Preparative Fasting Before Contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography

The use of fasting orders for imaging and other procedures is common, this seemingly benign practice can lead to real harms to patients and poor satisfaction with their care. The nothing per os (NPO) order is sometimes used in CT scans because gastrointestinal tract contents can interrupt visualization of the intestinal lumen, but more commonly NPO orders are are thought to protect all supine patients from aspiration during delivery of intravenous contrast. There is limited evidence to support such practice of NPO orders prior to contrast-enhanced CT scans. The authors' main objective is to determine if there is a need for preparative fasting prior to contrast-enhanced CT scans.