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Patient Instructions
Initial Consultation
Pre-Procedure Instructions
Post-Procedure Instructions
Initial Consultation
1. In general, your physician will refer you to the pain clinic. Once we have insurance authorization (depending on your health plan), then a consultation will be scheduled with
Dr. Newsome.
2. Please bring your insurance information with you.
3. Please complete the new patient questionnaire and bring it with you to the consultation. The questionnaire can be faxed to you, mailed to you, or downloaded from this website. Completing the questionnaire is extremely important. Please answer to the best of your ability and recollection. We do not expect that every question be answered. However, not completing the questionnaire will only delay your office visit and may cause your visit to be rescheduled. Even though you may have completed this information with another specialist or your primary care physician, we do not always have access to that information.
4. We will ask your referring physician for pertinent copies of your medical records. However, often times your records are incomplete since patients are often seen by multiple physicians. Therefore, if you have copies of your records please bring them with you.
5. The initial consult typically takes thirty minutes. A treatment plan will be discussed. If a procedure is recommended, then we will obtain authorization (depending on your health plan) and schedule the procedure at
the surgery center. Procedures cannot be done the same day as the
consult.
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Pre-Procedure Instructions
1. Unless otherwise approved with the office, you must have an adult drive you home after the procedure.
2. Fasting guidelines for sedation are as follows: Nothing to eat (solid food) for eight hours before your procedure. Non clear liquids (orange juice, coffee with cream, smoothies), may be consumed up to six hours before your procedure. Clear liquids (apple juice, grape juice, water) may be consumed up to 4 hours before your procedure. If these guidelines are not followed you will not receive intravenous sedation for the procedure.
3. Wear loose comfortable clothes for the procedure.
4. Arrive one hour earlier than your scheduled procedure time at the surgery center to allow adequate time to be checked in, change, and have an IV started (if you are having sedation).
5. It may take 2-3 hours from the time you arrive at the surgery center to time of discharge.
6. If you are on an anticoagulant (coumadin, plavix, etc.) contact the office for further instructions. These must be stopped 7 days prior to the procedure.
7. Take your other medications as usual with a sip of water.
8. If you have an infection at the time of the procedure, your procedure will be rescheduled. Please contact the office for further instructions.
9. No driving or operating heavy machinery until the next day.
10. You will see the physician in the procedure room. The physician
will review your history and answer any questions prior to the
procedure. This is not an office visit. Therefore, if you need
medications refilled, if family members need additional information, or
if you need additional time to review treatment options, then you need
to make an office visit appointment.
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Post-Procedure Instructions
1. If you were not instructed to contact your referring physician to schedule a follow up office visit, our office will contact you to schedule another procedure or an office visit. If you have not be contacted by our office after a week then call our office for further instructions.
2. You may eat or drink anything you want. If you have an upset stomach, you may want to drink liquids until it passes.
3. Limit your activity today; have someone stay with you for 12-24 hours.
4. You may place ice packs on the injection site for 20 minutes, 2-3 times a day for the next 2-3 days, if the injection site is sore.
5. You may remove the bandage and take a shower tomorrow. Keep the injection site clean and dry.
6. Only take the pain medications that your doctor prescribed.
7. Because of the medications you have received, do not: drive or operate machinery, drink alcohol, or sign or make important decisions for 24 hours.
8. Do not smoke for 48 hours.
9. Do not lift heavy objects and do not do strenuous activity.
10. The injection may make your arms or legs weak which will improve over the course of the day. Therefore, you must take care in handling objects, ambulating, or applying heat/cold to prevent further injury.
11. The will experience tenderness at the injection site which should improve over a few days.
12. The pain for which you are being treated may worsen for a few days after the procedure.
Contact the Office Immediately:
1. If you develop a fever greater than 100F.
2. If your pain significantly worsens, new symptoms develop, or if you experience worsening numbness or weakness.
3. If you develop redness, swelling, bleeding, or pus at the injection/incision site.
4. If you have not been able to eat or drink for eight hours after the procedure.
Proceed to the Emergency Room:
1. If you are not doing well after the procedure and if you feel that it is an emergency, then proceed to the emergency room or contact 911. Then contact the office.
2. If you are unable to urinate for eight hours after the procedure, go to the emergency room, then contact the office.
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