PRE-PROCEDURE  INSTRUCTIONS

General Instructions for all patients undergoing any procedure:

 

1. Leave all valuables at home.  Do not wear jewellery or bring expensive items or money with you.  The physician, his personnel, or the facility is not responsible for any loss or theft of your belongings.

2 If you have small children, please arrange for their childcare. 

3. Please arrive at least 20 minutes before the scheduled time. Bring and update your insurance card, picture ID, and payment towards your co-pay, deductible, anesthesia fee, etc., at the time of the check-in.

Also, verify to make sure you have authorization from your insurance company if you are required to get one.  While our office tries to get ‘authorizations’ it becomes your responsibility to avoid any non-covered and denied charges from your insurance company.  

4. Notify your physician if you are allergic to any medication or IV Dye.  If you are allergic to any of the drugs or the dye used during the procedure, your physician will reschedule and plan to pre-medicate you for several days before the procedure.  

5. You may take your usual medications on the day of the procedure with only a sip of water. 

6. You are expected to STOP any/all blood thinners (Coumadin, Eliquis, Plavix, etc.) and anti-inflammatory medications (Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen, Diclofenac) to prevent the risk of bleeding.   Request for additional instructions on how long to stop. You may resume these medications the day after your procedure. 

7. Please notify your physician if you have a cold, fever, or COVID-19 symptoms or feel sick before your procedure. If you have a heart murmur or prosthetic heart valve inform your physician. 

8. Wear loose clothing.  T-shirt, sweatpants, shorts, and sports bra is recommended. You are not expected to remove your undergarments unless the procedure needs such undressing. 

9. Before the procedure you may be expected to change into a gown and speak with a nursing staff.

10. An ice pack may be placed over the body part where injection is performed for about 10-15 minutes before the procedure.  

11. Note that the procedure is done to relieve your pain.  It is possible that the procedure may fail to provide the expected relief in which case alternative treatments will be discussed in your follow-up. 

12. It is recommended that you are accompanied by someone older than 18 years of age whenever it is possible.

 

Additional Instructions for patients scheduled to undergo the Procedure Under Anesthesia:

 

1. NOTHING to eat or drink after midnight the day before the procedure. NO food, coffee, candy, gum, etc.   

2. You may take your usual medications with only a sip of WATER ONLY. 

3. You are required to have a responsible adult (18 years and older) with you on the day of the procedure. Responsible adults are required to be present in the waiting room during your entire stay and are responsible for driving you home. You are not permitted to drive on the day of the procedure. 

4. You will undergo placement of an I.V. line through which you will receive IV fluids and anesthetic agents.

5.  Before the procedure you may be expected to change into a gown and speak with the anesthesia provider.

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*** If you eat or drink or do not have a responsible adult on the day of your procedure your procedure will be rescheduled or you may be forced to undergo the procedure under local without anesthesia.