When it comes to bowel distention in MR and CT enterography, most conversations focus on volume, timing, or imaging protocol. But there is another factor that has a major impact on exam success: taste. It may sound simple, but palatability can make the difference between a completed scan and a rescheduled one, especially for sensitive patient populations. As imaging departments look for ways to improve efficiency and reduce repeat exams, the taste of the agent used for bowel distention should be part of the conversation.
The Hidden Impact of Taste in Drinking Compliance
Small bowel studies require patients to drink a significant volume of liquid over a short period of time. When the taste is unappealing, patients often struggle to finish drinking, which can compromise bowel distention and result in suboptimal imaging.
The effects go beyond patient comfort. For technologists and nurses, poor compliance increases the time spent encouraging patients to drink, managing drinking-related discomfort, or troubleshooting whether a scan can proceed as scheduled. These workflow interruptions add unpredictability and reduce the efficiency of the imaging suite.
Improving drinking compliance for bowel distention through palatability is not just about patient satisfaction. It is a practical way to protect margins, enhance operational flow, and reduce the overall burden of failed or rescheduled exams.
Patient Populations with Unique Needs
Not all patients approach drinking compliance the same way, and certain populations are particularly sensitive to tastes, smells, or feels. Understanding these sensitivities can help imaging teams better anticipate patient acceptance of the drink offered for bowel distention before their scan.
Here are a few examples of patient populations who benefit from a more palatable drink:- Pediatric patients often experience heightened taste and texture sensitivity. Their developing sensory systems and limited exposure to medical procedures make unfamiliar tastes difficult to tolerate. They may gag, refuse to drink, or be in visible distress, creating additional challenges for staff and families.
- Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, frequently arrive for imaging already feeling unwell. Nausea, abdominal discomfort, or fatigue can make the prospect of drinking a large amount of an unpleasant-tasting drink feel overwhelming.
- Anxious or claustrophobic patients are often managing stress even before they enter the scanner. Adding an unpleasant-tasting drink to the experience can heighten anxiety and push the patient beyond their coping threshold. A better tasting beverage can help reduce pre-scan stress and increase the likelihood of full compliance.
- Patients with sensory processing difficulties, such as those on the autism spectrum or individuals with neurological conditions, may find strong flavors or some textures particularly upsetting. These patients benefit from a bowel-distending beverage that is smooth, mild, and easy to drink.
In all these scenarios, offering a flavored beverage that is more tolerable to drink can be better accepted by patients and lower the risk of not ingesting the amount of liquid necessary for an adequately distended bowel – improving the likelihood that their scan proceeds as planned.
The Power of Patient-Centered Prep
As healthcare continues to focus on personalized care, offering a flavored beverage option provides patients a better experience and supports their comfort during what can be a stressful procedure.
This is where Breeza® for small bowel distension makes a meaningful difference. Its refreshing taste, light texture, and clear formulation were designed by a radiologist to specifically help patients drink the required volume for bowel distention without resistance. Since its introduction, Breeza has become a trusted tool for imaging facilities offering CT or MR enterography that prioritize both patient satisfaction and scan quality.
Flavor variety also allows imaging centers to accommodate different preferences. Some patients who struggled with drinking compliance in the past may respond better to a different taste. In this setting, palatability becomes more than a convenience. It becomes a tool for improving efficiency and outcomes.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Flavored Prep
At Beekley Medical, we understand that every patient is different. That is why we continue to innovate based on what patients and imaging professionals need most.
By combining excellent taste with clinical performance, Breeza for small bowel distention helps patients better comply with drinking instructions, supports diagnostic accuracy, and contributes to a smoother workflow for healthcare providers.
Megan Sargalski
Marketing Communications Specialist
