Scheduling

New England PET Imaging System has five sites providing PET/CT scans to the patients of the region. To book a study, please refer to the list of locations and hours of operation for each site listed below. You may also download the Physician Order Form for each site.

Urgent exams will be provided outside of normal hours if the patient's medical condition necessitates a prompt diagnosis.

New England PET Imaging System at Holy Family Hospital
70 East Street
Methuen, Massachusetts 01844
Hours: Monday through Friday - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
PH: (978) 689-4738
FAX (978) 682-0984
Physician Order Form – Methuen

New England PET of Greater Lowell
The Cancer Center at Lowell General Hospital
295 Varnum Avenue, Suite 200
Lowell, Massachusetts 01854
Hours: Monday through Friday - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
PH: (978) 458-9872
FAX: (978) 458-9876
Physician Order Form - Lowell

New England PET at The Elliot at River’s Edge
185 Queen City Avenue
Manchester, NH 03101
Hours: Monday through Wednesday - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
PH: (603) 663-2370
FAX: (603) 663-2379
Physician Order Form - Manchester

Massachusetts Mobile PET, P.C.
Merrimack Valley Hospital
140 Lincoln Avenue
Haverhill, MA 01830
Hours: Fridays – 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
PH: (888) 560-4738
FAX: (978) 682-0984
Physician Order Form - Haverhill

Final Reports
Written patient reports are available within 24 hours of the completion of the exam. A "wet reading" of the study results is generally sent by fax after the scan is completed and reviewed by the radiologist.

We request copies of recent medical histories (pathologies, office notes) and recent CT or MRI studies so that we can compare the PET/CT results with other studies to provide a comprehensive evaluation. Should it be necessary, we will return the CT and MRI disks to the originating source when the study is completed.

PET/CT Scan—Patient Preparation (pdf format)
Very important note about your Arrival Time: The radiotracer that you will be receiving for your PET/CT scan is very time sensitive. It is extremely important that this radiotracer be administered at the designated time of your appointment. Plan to arrive for your appointment 15 minutes early to allow for paperwork. For example, if you are scheduled for an 8:00 AM scan, you should arrive at 7:45 AM to fill out paperwork and be ready to start on time.

IMPORTANT PREPARATION INFO

No food for 4 hours prior to study. You are ENCOURAGED TO DRINK WATER, but no other type of liquid is allowed. Flavored water is NOT allowed. Please do not chew gum!
Please do not perform any strenuous physical activity (weight lifting, running, etc.) for 3 days prior to your PET scan.
For patients with a feeding tube, do NOT EAT FOOD for 6 hours prior to the PET/CT scan.
Patient should wear warm, loose-fitting clothing without zippers or any metallic objects. If patient wears anything else that might interfere with the scan, then patient will need to change into a hospital gown. If applicable, patients will also be required to remove dentures for the scan.
Patient should take regularly scheduled medications if they can be tolerated on an empty stomach.
Patient may be required to take medication to relax his/her muscles for the PET/CT examination. Please speak with your Physician regarding a PRESCRIPTION if needed, especially if there are concerns for claustrophobia. Patients should NOT take any such medication until after they have arrived and the PET/CT staff advises them to do so.
Nursing Home patients and Inpatients should discontinue IV’s with glucose at least 4 hours prior to scan (D5, D3).
Patient MUST bring photo ID, insurance cards and any pertinent CT or MRI films with him/her to the PET exam.

DIABETIC PATIENTS
Diabetic patients who are insulin dependent must check with the NE PET office staff to review specific instructions:

Fasting for four hours prior to the PET/CT appointment time.
If patient has an appointment time for 7am or 8am: Patient should NOT take any insulin. Patient should bring their insulin with them for administration at the completion of the scan.
If patient has an appointment time for noon or 1pm: Patient should take ½ of their insulin along with a light breakfast and allow for 4 hours of fasting before the appointment time.
Patients with an insulin pump should not change anything except to fasting for 4 hours prior to the PET/CT appointment.

For more information on preparing for an PET/CT scan, click here to download our patient brochure “About Your PET/CT Scan” which will help to explain more about preparing for an FDG-PET/CT scan.

18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT Bone Scans
Patients scheduled for 18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT bone scans should allow 1 ½ - 2 hours for completion of their study, and they need not fast prior to the examination. Patients should take their regularly scheduled medications.

If the patient has any medical problems that may affect his or her ability to lie still for up to 45 minutes, please let the office staff know at the time of scheduling. Our office staff will ask if the patient is claustrophobic, needs pain medication, or requires sedation. If the patient needs sedation, it must be provided by the referring physician's office.

For more information on preparing for your 18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT bone scan, click here to access our preparation sheet for 18F-Sodium Fluoride (NaF) PET/CT bone scans.

Inpatient PET Studies
The PET/CT Center schedules inpatients as well as outpatients. We request that the inpatient be accompanied by the hospital nursing personnel appropriate for the patient’s level of care. The PET/CT Center has a crash cart and emergency supplies. However, if needed, specialized medication or equipment must be brought with the patient. In the event of an emergency, the hospital emergency system will be utilized.