Patient Instructions for Vascular and Interventional Radiology Center
The following is a list of instructions for your procedure on _____________.
1. If you are having a procedure, we ask that you arrive 2 hours prior to the procedure
to ensure that you get through admissions and the assessment center in time for your exam. There may be times when we are delayed due to emergent procedures. We will try to let the assessment center know when this happens.
2. It is very important that you continue your blood pressure and heart medications,
unless you have been instructed otherwise. You may take these with a small sip of water.
3. If you are on blood thinner medications such as Plavix (Clopidogel), Pletal (Cliostazol), Coumadin (Warfarin), Lovenox (Enoxaparin), Aggrenox (Aspirin/Dipyridamole), Fragmin (Dalteparin) or Ticlid (Ticlopidine), these must be stopped within a certain time period to decrease your chances of complications from your procedure. Your doctor will let you know when these need to be stopped. If you are not told to stop them, please call our office at 817-250-3566 and we will assist you with this.
4. If you are diabetic, ask your doctor whether or not to take your insulin the morning
of the procedure. You will not be eating the morning of the exam, so your dosage may need to be altered. For those patients on Metformin, Glucovance, Metaglip or Glucophage, you will need to discontinue this the morning of your procedure and for two days after the procedure.
5. If you are allergic to intravenous contrast/dye, it is very important that you are
premedicated with a steroid prior to your procedure. Your doctor should provide you with a prescription for this medication. However, if you do not receive it, you may contact us at 817-250-3566.
6. You need to bring any x-rays with you on the date of your procedure. Your doctor
may be sending them to us, but if you have them, it is very important that you bring them with you the morning of the exam, as these will help us with your procedure.
7. You will also have labwork drawn the day of your procedure. If you have already
had labwork done, please bring a copy of the results with you.
8. Please bring a complete list of your medications with you, including the dosages
and the names of your medicines. You may also bring the actual medications with you for the assessment nurse to review.
9. You will need to be prepared to stay the night in the hospital. We will try to let you
go home the day of the procedure, but sometimes it will be necessary for you to stay overnight. If you are discharged home the day of your procedure, you must have someone stay with you overnight to ensure your safety.
10. If you are given medication or sedation during the procedure, you will not be allowed
to drive yourself home. Please make sure that you have a driver with you. It is our pleasure to serve you and we look forward to seeing you the day of your procedure.
The Vascular and Interventional Radiology Center
HEALTH MATTERS (and some other matters) Basic Immunizations & Malaria Prophylaxis You basically need to be up-to-date on your 'shots'. This would mean all the usual childhood vaccinations. In particular: Tetanus: Have you had a tetanus booster shot within the past 10 years? Beyond that, there are others to consider, but probably not mandatory for a short-term mission ~ He