In CT and MR enterography, clear visualization of the small bowel is essential for accurate diagnosis. Yet one of the most common challenges technologists and radiologists face is inadequate bowel distention. When patients struggle to tolerate oral contrast or fail to complete the prep, the result is often poor image quality, repeat sequences, or, in some cases, a rescheduled exam altogether. These inefficiencies do not just impact patient care; they create hidden costs across the imaging department.
For many patients, taste and tolerability of the beverage used to distend the bowel are the most significant hurdles to a good scan. That is why solutions like Breeza® flavored beverage for small bowel distention, now available in Lemon Lime and Mixed Berry, are changing how imaging departments approach drinking protocols.
When Poor Drinking Compliance Leads to Poor Imaging
Incomplete small bowel distention can make it difficult for radiologists to confidently evaluate the bowel wall, especially in cases of Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory conditions. When the bowel loops are unevenly filled, it can mimic or obscure pathology, leading to uncertainty in interpretation or the need for repeat imaging.
Without adequate distention, early signs of disease, such as wall thickening or mucosal enhancement, may go unnoticed, while normal segments may appear abnormal due to poor separation of loops. This limits the diagnostic value of the exam and can delay accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions.
For patients, this often means returning for additional imaging or being called back for further evaluation. For imaging departments, it results in wasted scanner time, scheduling disruptions, and increased operational costs, all stemming from something as simple as an incomplete prep.
The Ripple Effect on Workflow and Resources
Every incomplete study affects far more than the patient on the table. When a scan must be repeated because of inadequate bowel distention, it sets off a chain reaction across the department.
A 30-minute rescan can push back every patient scheduled afterward, creating a domino effect of delays. Patients who arrived on time are suddenly left waiting, technologists are forced to juggle the schedule, and radiologists face interruptions in their reading flow.
In some cases, exams must be rescheduled entirely. This not only frustrates patients, many of whom have already arranged transportation, taken time off work, or fasted in preparation, but also adds more burden to scheduling teams who must find new appointment slots in already packed calendars.
For outpatient centers, repeat visits can create bottlenecks that affect referral satisfaction, while for hospitals, inefficient throughput can strain capacity when scanner availability is already limited.
Overtime is another hidden cost. When repeat imaging pushes exams later into the day, technologists and support staff may be required to stay late to finish the schedule. Even when overtime is not necessary, the increased workload can contribute to staff burnout, a growing concern across imaging departments nationwide.
And then there is the financial impact. Each repeat exam consumes scanner time that could have been used for a reimbursable study, and it also requires additional supplies and staffing resources.
Over weeks and months, these small inefficiencies add up to a measurable and often underappreciated financial burden. Departments working to maximize throughput while maintaining high-quality patient care simply cannot afford the lost time associated with poor prep.
A Patient-Centered Solution: Breeza® for Small Bowel Distention
One way to reduce these inefficiencies is to improve patient compliance with the small bowel prep. Breeza® flavored beverage for small bowel distention was designed with both patients and technologists in mind.
Its light, refreshing flavor, now available in two options, Lemon Lime and Mixed Berry, and easy-to-drink formulation help patients complete the necessary volume for small bowel distention without the struggle that often accompanies traditional contrast preparations.
By improving patient tolerance and compliance, Breeza helps ensure more patients achieve optimal bowel distention on the first try. This leads to higher quality images, greater diagnostic confidence, and fewer repeat exams. For imaging departments, that means more efficient use of scanner time, smoother scheduling, and better overall patient experience.
Discover how Breeza can help your department improve workflow, enhance patient experience, and achieve optimal small bowel distention the first time. Contact your Medical Imaging Account Manager at 1.800.233.5539 or email info@beekley.com and ask about a complimentary trial evaluation at your facility.
Megan Sargalski
Marketing Communications Specialist
