Pre-Procedure Patient Instructions
Pre-testing
- Coumadin/Xarelto/Pradaxa/Eliquis/Savaysa patients: You should have been given a stop date. If not please call the office.
- Diabetic patients: Do not take your diabetes medications or insulin the morning of pretesting. You will be permitted to take your medicine/insulin after the blood work has been drawn.
- The hospital will call you to schedule your pre-admission testing.
- During this appointment, you will be interviewed by a nurse, who will review your medical history and medications.
- Bring all medication bottles in a zip lock bag or a detailed list of your medications including dosage and frequency.
- Fasting bloodwork, EKG and CXR may be performed at this appointment.
- HCA will contact your insurance for pre-authorization. If a referral is required, we will fax a referral request to your primary care physician with all the necessary information.
Before the Procedure
- Diabetic patients: Do not take your diabetes medications/insulin the morning of your procedure.
- Coumadin/Xarelto/Pradaxa/Eliquis/Savaysa patients: You should have been given a stop date. If not please call the office.
- Patients taking a water pill, or diuretic: Do not take your water pill the morning of the procedure.
- Drink plenty of water the day before your test as you need to be well hydrated. If you are on fluid restriction (ordered by a physician) due to a medical condition please inform HCA immediately.
- No solid food or drink after midnight including gum or candy. You may take your usual medications with a sip of water the morning of the procedure. (Except diabetes medications or insulin, see below).
- If your arrival time is 12:00 pm or later: You may have clear liquids up to 6 hours prior to your arrival time. Clear liquids includes: apple juice, chicken broth, popsicles (no red), jello (no red), ginger ale.
- You CAN NOT drive yourself the day of your procedure.
- If you develop symptoms of a cold, flu or fever or if you have been exposed to any communicable diseases (chicken pox, shingles, mumps, measles or tuberculosis) since your preadmission visit, immediately notify us.
- If scheduled at St. Francis, they will call you by 5:00 pm on the day prior to your procedure (Monday-Friday) to verify your arrival time. After 5:00 pm the day prior if you did not receive a call from St. Francis, you can call 609-599-6560.
- Be prepared to stay overnight as there is always a possibility you will be admitted following your procedure. If you are discharged the same day, you MUST have someone to stay with you that night.
ALLERGIES- FOR PATIENTS WITH IVP DYE, IODINE, OR SHELLFISH ALLERGY (i.e., lobster, crab, mussels, oysters, clams, and shrimp)
- Take Prednisone 50mg at 8am the day before your test.
- Take Prednisone 50mg at 8pm the day before your test.
- Take Prednisone 50mg at 8am the morning of your test.
- In addition, take two Benadryl 25 mg tabs (available over the counter at your pharmacy) the evening before your procedure