This information has been provided to assist you in your preparation for your upcoming procedure. It does not replace more specific instructions provided to you by your doctor.
Pre-procedure checklist
Prior to your procedure booking you will receive a link to our pre-procedure checklist. This provides important questions you need to answer to ensure your procedure is conducted safely and effectively. You will need to complete this at least 7 days before your procedure. If required, a nurse may then call you to go over some additional questions. If you do not complete the pre-procedure checklist, your procedure will not go ahead.
Procedure admission, location and time
Your procedure will be conducted at one of the private hospitals or day procedure units in Perth. This will be conducted in either the am (0800-1300) or pm (1300-1700) allocated theatre list. You will need to complete your admission details through the hospital/day procedure unit prior to your procedure.
The admission details, location and time for your procedure will be provided to you via your booking form.
Transport
Please be reminded that you will not be able to drive after your procedure. Please ensure you have transport arranged. You should anticipate that you will be at the hospital for at least 3 hours. Please be aware that delays may occur that are out of our control. We will advise you as soon as we are aware.
If you are DVA and require DVA transport, we are able to assist you, but please ensure you have notified us at least one week before your scheduled procedure.
Fasting & smoking
You are required to fast before your procedure. This is to prevent contents from your stomach entering your lungs while you are sedated. If you do not fast your procedure will be cancelled and you will be required to pay a cancellation fee.
Fast from ALL food and non-clear fluids for AT LEAST 6 hours BEFORE your procedure. Up to 200mL of clear fluids (fluid which is transparent) can be continued for up to 3 hours before your procedure. Therefore, please follow:
- AM (0800-1300) procedure: nothing to eat from midnight the night before
- PM (1300-1700) procedure: nothing to eat
We also recommend you stop smoking 2 weeks before your procedure as smoking can interfere with healing.
Medications
Unless otherwise requested by your doctor, or you are taking blood thinners (anticoagulants) or medications for diabetes (see below), do not stop taking your usual medication prior to the procedure. Continue taking your usual medications at their usual times, even whilst fasting, with a small sip of water.
Blood thinning medication: if you are taking blood thinners/anticoagulants (excluding aspirin), then you must have let us know on your pre-procedure checklist. Please follow the instructions provided to you by our nurses on when to stop them.
Diabetes medication: if you are taking medication for diabetes, then you must have let us know on your pre-procedure checklist. Please follow the instructions provided to you by our nurses on when to stop them. As a reminder, do not take diabetes medication while you are fasting.
Please bring your medications, including diabetes medications, with you to your procedure.
If you are unclear on what to do with your medications, then please contact us as soon as possible prior to your procedure.
Day of your procedure
On the day of your procedure, please present to the hospital/day procedure unit main reception area. You will then be directed to the procedure suite.
A nurse will admit you before being asked you to change into a gown. Your doctor, anaesthetist and radiographer will then ask you some health-related questions before you are transferred to the procedure room to complete your procedure.
Important considerations:
- Some of the antiseptic solutions used during the procedure may stain clothes and rub off and stain furniture or bedding. Please make suitable arrangements.
- In the procedure room you will be moved onto an x-ray table before the anaesthetist will place a needle in your hand and you will be given medication to sedate you (this is not a general anaesthetic, but a state of reduced awareness).
- The procedure may take anywhere from 5-45 minutes.
- Your doctor and anaesthetist will be with you during the entirety of the procedure. During this time your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels will be monitored. Your anaesthetist will also supervise your recovery in the theatre recovery area.
Following your procedure
After the procedure is completed you will be taken to the recovery area, where you will remain for up to 2 hours (although this can vary). Once you are able to walk, pass urine and after having something to eat and drink, you will be discharged. If you are being admitted to the hospital you will be transferred to the ward.
Following discharge from hospital
Please refer to the Post Procedure Information resource on specific instructions after your procedure.
You may feel the effects of sedation for up to 24 hours after the procedure. Therefore for the first 24 hours following your procedure do not drive a motor vehicle, operate machinery, make any important decisions or sign any legally binding documents. We also recommend that you are in the company of a support person overnight.
Gentle activity and rest is advised for the first 48 hours after your procedure. You can then gradually increase your daily activities as tolerated. You may remove the dressing 24 hours after the procedure. If your procedure involved an epidural injection we recommend removing the dressing 48 hours afterwards.
It may take a minimum of 48-72 hours before you start noticing a reduction in pain. During this time you may have increased discomfort and/or pain at the injection site(s). If you have had a rhizotomy procedure this period of pain/discomfort may persist for 7 days (in some patients, it can be several weeks). It may assist to apply cold packs to the procedure site for 15 minutes at a time for the first 24 hours after your procedure.
If you do not already have a follow up appointment, we will contact you after your procedure to arrange an appointment with a member of our team.
When to seek medical attention
For complete details please refer to the Post Procedure Information resource.
If after the procedure you have any concerns please contact Anodyne. If any of the following occur please call us immediately. If outside of business hours then attend to your local Emergency Department for review.
- New shortness of breath 24-48 hours after the injection
- Excessive bleeding, worsening redness, swelling or pus in the area of the injection
- Fever, limb weakness, or urinary difficulties
Fees
You will find specific fee details on the booking form we sent you. For general terms please see below.
Most of our doctors are no gap providers for most health funds if you have at least a Bronze level (with pain management included) of cover. However, please check with your health insurance provider prior to your procedure if you have any concerns regarding costs.
We have provided in your booking form the procedure item numbers that you can check with your Health Insurer. We have provided in the booking form the anaesthetist’s details if you wish to contact them. Anodyne is not responsible for any out-of-pocket costs incurred from the anaesthetist, hospital or any insurer related excess fee.
There may be a radiographer fee that needs to be paid before your procedure. This is a non-claimable out of pocket expense to cover the costs of the radiographer operating the x-ray machine during your procedure.
If you do not have private health insurance, third party insurance coverage or you are directly responsible for the costs of the procedure, then you will be required to pay for your procedure in full before the procedure is booked.
Any cancellations within 48 hours of the procedure, which is not due to urgent or procedure specific reasons, will have their payment forfeited. Any rescheduling of the procedure will be invoiced as a new procedure. You may be required to provide a certificate confirming the reasons for non-attendance.
Frequently asked questions
The answers to some commonly asked questions are below.
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Can I still drink water? No! Fasting is no food or drinking.
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Can I have my morning medication? Yes, with a sip of water and so long as it's not a blood thinner or diabetes medication.
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Can I have aspirin? Yes, you can have aspirin.
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Will I be awake/will I have a general anesthetic? You will be sedated (i.e. sleepy) but not a full anaesthetic with intubation (tube down throat).
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What time can I go home? Each patient is different, depending on procedure and recovery time from sedation, but generally by early afternoon (if your procedure is in the morning) or early evening (if your procedure is in the afternoon).
If you have any further queries please contact Anodyne.