Pre-Procedure Instructions IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS
1. Our office requires a 24-hour cancellation notice. Please note that if you cancel your procedure it
may be several weeks before it can be rescheduled.
2. Please arrive one hour before your scheduled appointment in order to allow the nursing staff
enough time to complete a pre-procedure assessment. This is required to maximize your safety and
help insure that your procedure starts on time.
2. Please bring a photo identification, ALL health insurance cards, including Medicare, Blue Cross/
Blue Shield, TriCare, etc., or verification of your method of payment, as well as any consent
forms, films or orders your doctor’s office instructed you to bring to your procedure.
3. Do NOT eat or drink anything six (6) hours before your procedure. This includes chewing gum,
breath mints, cough drops, or candy. You may brush your teeth and spit out the water. If you chose
to eat six (6) hours before your procedure, please eat a snack or light meal only.
4. If you are taking Coumadin (warafin), Plavix (clopidogrel), Pradaxa (dabigatran), Lovenox (enoxaparin), Fragmin (dalteparin), or other like blood thinners, you must speak to your
prescribing physician regarding stopping any of these medications. Clearance must be obtained
from your physician (primary care provider, cardiologist, vascular physician, or neurologist)
before your procedure. Please have your physician fax written clearance to our office at
850-415-8160. When we receive the clearance from your physician, a scheduler will contact you
to schedule your procedure. Do not stop your blood thinner until you have been contacted by our
office and advised of a procedure date and date to stop your blood thinner. If you are on Plavix
(clopidogrel), you will need to stop taking the medication seven (7) days before your procedure. If
you are taking Coumadin (warafin) or Pradaxa (dabigatran), you will need to stop taking the
medication 5 days prior to your procedure. A blood test called a PT/INR may be required, in
addition to stopping your blood thinner. If you are taking Lovenox (enoxaparin), Fragmin
(dalteparin), or other low molecular weight heparin drugs, these medications must be stopped no
later than 24-hours prior to your procedure.
5. Stop all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), or similar drugs on attached list below,
five (5) days before your procedure.
6. Stop Aspirin five (5) days before your procedure.
7. Some herbal medications and supplements can have blood-thinning effects. These medications
should be stopped five (5) days before your procedure. Such supplements include Ginkoba herbs,
8. If you take heart, blood pressure, seizure, reflux, or asthma medication, you may take them with a
small sip of water no later than six (6) hours before your procedure. Please bring any inhalers,
nitroglycerin or insulin with you on the day of your procedure.
9. If you have diabetes, please take HALF of your diabetes medicine, whether insulin, pills, or a
combination of both, on the day of your procedure, unless otherwise instructed by your primary
10. Do NOT take any pain medication on the day of your procedure unless otherwise instructed by Dr.
11. Bring a detailed list of all your medications, including names, dosages, and frequencies, as well as
any allergies with you to your procedure, even if you already have given it to a member of our
clinic staff. It will assist the nurses with your pre-procedure assessment. Not all nurses will have
immediate access to your medication list when you first arrive.
12. If you have an implanted spinal cord stimulator or InterStim device for pelvic pain/over active
bladder, please bring your hand held remote control with you. The device may need to be turned
off temporarily. If it is turned off, it can most likely be turned back on immediately after the
procedure. Sometimes these devices, if left in the on position, can interfere with the certain
procedural equipment. Once the device is turned off, there should be no interference and your
procedure can proceed as scheduled. This does NOT apply to pacemakers, defibrillators, vagal
nerve stimulators, or intrathecal pumps.
13. Do NOT wear any make up, contact lenses, wallets, belts, girdles, panty hose, fake/artificial nails,
nail polish, or jewelry. Please leave all valuables at home. Spine and Neuro Pain Specialists, or
the facility you are having your procedure performed, will not be responsible for any lost or stolen
14. You must have a driver for ALL scheduled procedures, whether you are being sedated or not. A
driver does not have to wait in the building during the procedure, but must be there to drive you
home. If you do not have a driver, your procedure will not be performed.
15. You should allow 2-3 hours for most procedures, from the time you check in until you are
discharged. Please inform your drivers. Some procedures like spinal cord stimulator and
intrathecal pump implantations may take up to 6-8 hours from check in to discharge.
16. Please wear loose fitting clothing. Elastic waste bands are preferred. You may be required to
17. Please bath/shower before, and on the same day as, your procedure.
18. If you plan on receiving sedation, please arrange to have someone stay with you for at least six (6)
hours after the procedure, or longer if needed. You should not be left alone.
19. If you are still having a menstrual cycle on the day of your procedure, please bring your own
20. If you are a female of childbearing age, you will likely be asked to submit to a pregnancy test
before your procedure. If you have to urinate upon your arrival, please ask for a urine cup before
21. Please make a follow up appointment with our office approximately one week after your
procedure. Exception: radiofrequency denervation and all disc procedures, including discograms,
should schedule a TWO week follow up appointment.
22. If at all possible, do not bring small children or extra visitors with you to your procedure. You will
not be in a position to supervise or entertain them, and some facilities have small waiting rooms.
23. Spine & Neuro Pain Specialists does not always have control over the scheduling of your
procedure depending on which facility you use. Some facilities require your procedure be
scheduled directly with the surgery center or hospital. Spine & Neuro Pain Specialists, in most
cases, can only request procedure times. Therefore, your scheduled appointment may be subject
to change. Every effort will be made to notify you in a timely manner should this occur. If you
have not been contacted with your procedure time within 24 hours of your procedure date, please
call the surgical/procedural scheduling department at the hospital or surgery center directly to
24. Please be courteous towards the office and procedure room staff. All staff members are there to
serve you. Our goal is provide you the best care and experience possible. With all of the changes
taking place in the healthcare today, there are numerous forms that must be filled out by everyone.
Some information is redundant. If you are asked to repeat certain information regarding your
medical history, please comply. It will expedite your procedure.
25. Sometimes procedures take longer than expected. Delays in your start time may occur despite our
best efforts. Please know that the we will work diligently to stay on schedule because we know
your time is valuable. However, we strongly suggest that you not make any additional plans the
day of the procedure in the event you are delayed. Your understanding is appreciated. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN YOUR PROCEDURE BEING RESCHEDULED List of NSAID (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) and like drugs
Aspirin (Goody’s Powders, BC Powders, Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Excedrin,
Choline and magnesium salicylates (CMT, Tricosal, Trilisate)
Diclofenac sodium (Volteren, Volteren XR)
Diclofenac sodium with misoprostol (Arthrotec)
Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail)
Magnesium Salicylate (Arthritab, Bayer Select, Doan’s Pills, Magan, Mobidin, Mobogesic)
Salsalate (Amigesic, Anaflex 750, Disalcid, Marthritic, Mono-Gesic, Salflex, Salsitab)
NOTE: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is NOT on the list.
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