Advice to be read before having Pain Service injection treatments

Advice to be read before having a Pain Service procedure at Ely Day Surgery

The following information has been produced to ensure that you are able to have your procedure. It is essential that you read and follow the advice given below before you come to the hospital.

If you do not follow the advice you may not be able to have your treatment.

Please contact the Pain Clinic if any of the following apply to you:

• You are diabetic and take medication to control your diabetes.
• You have recently had an admission to hospital.
• You have tested positive for MRSA.
• You have an infection and are currently taking antibiotics.
• You have a temperature which is more than 37.4
• You think you may be pregnant.
• If you are currently taking one of these following medications or any other medicine which affects your blood’s ability to clot (often called a ‘blood thinner’).

Acenocoumarol (may be branded Sinthrome®), apixaban (Eliquis®), aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix®), dabigatran (Pradaxa®), dipyridamole (Persantin®), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®), warfarin (Marevan®).

Please notify the Pain Clinic at least 10 days before your appointment if you are taking one of the above medications.

Fasting before your treatment:

Please do not eat or drink any non clear fluids (those containing milk) for six hours before your appointment.

Stop water or other clear fluids (eg clear tea, black coffee) two hours before your appointment time.

If you have any regular tablets to take during the two hour no fluid period you may take these with up to 30ml of water only.

On the day of treatment

It is essential that you arrange for an adult friend or relative to collect you by car or taxi after the procedure. You must be accompanied by someone; failure to comply will result in your procedure being cancelled.

Please leave any valuables at home.

On arrival at Ely Day Surgery you will see the doctor to discuss and sign the consent form. However, your appointment time will not be the time of your procedure; a wait may be involved (between 30 minutes and four hours before your treatment) so please bring a book / magazine or something to keep yourself occupied. Nearer the time of your procedure you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. You may keep your underwear on. If you wish you may bring a pair of shorts (with an elasticated waist) to wear underneath the hospital gown. You may also find it useful to bring a pair of slippers or flip flops to wear.

Diabetic patients

Tablet and insulin treated diabetes

The day before surgery continue antidiabetic medication / insulin as normal.

You may have been asked to be Nil By Mouth or ‘NBM’. Please be aware of the risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugars) whilst fasting. Please bring a hypoglycaemic treatment with you on the day of your treatment.

Diabetic patients

If you have any questions regarding your diabetic regime please contact your GP for advice.