Patient Resources for Vascular & Interventional Care Kansas City
Comprehensive Patient Resources for Vascular Care
Procedure Timeline
Preparing For Your Procedure
Your care at Vascular & Interventional Specialists often begins with a clinic visit for a vascular or interventional exam and possibly specific vascular testing. During that appointment, our staff will explain their findings and make their professional recommendations for your care. You will also have a chance to ask any questions you may have – our staff wants to know of any concerns and make sure you’re able to make educated decisions for your medical care.
Checklist
What to Do
- Find someone to take you home
- Bring your insurance card
- Bring an updated copy of your medications list
- Bring a method of payment for copay or deductible, if applicable
- Bring a case or holder for glasses, contacts, dentures or hearing aids, if applicable
- Read through your pre-procedure instructions for fasting and medication information.
What Not to Do
- Do not bring valuables – jewelry, electronics, etc.
- Do not wear makeup or nail polish
- Do not apply lotions, aftershave, or perfume
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot make an appointment?
Please notify the surgeon as early as possible if you cannot make your scheduled appointment. Early notification can help us better accommodate you and other patients.
What should I wear?
Please wear comfortable clothing. Button-down shirts or blouses are best. Wear comfortable shoes. Leave all jewelry at home, including body-piercing jewelry. Please do not wear any make-up as this can hide certain clinical signs. Please remove all body piercings. Please do not bring any valuables with you to the procedure.
Should I take my usual daily medication?
Please discuss your daily medications and herbal supplements with your care team prior to the day of your procedure. They will give you specific instructions to follow on the day of your procedure. Please bring all your medications with you.
What must I bring with me on the day of the procedure?
- Bring case for eyeglasses or contacts
- Bring insurance identification cards, driver’s license, completed billing forms, copayments
- Bring all medication
- Make sure you have a ride home and someone to care for you at home
- Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
- Leave all jewelry and valuables at home
May I continue my herbal medications?
Herbal medications may have harmful effects on the procedure. Many of these remedies may effect your clotting mechanism and interfere with the anesthetic agents. (The list of drugs and their side effects are too great for this site.) Please remember to mention these remedies when being asked about medication.
Will I be contacted before my procedure?
Yes. We call each patient before the procedure to gather information and to helpful to us and hopefully answer any of your questions. Preoperative instructions will be given by the nurse who calls you. You can also call the Center directly with any questions.
May I drive home?
We would strongly recommend that all patients have a ride home and will be received by a responsible adult when they arrive home. Please make the appropriate arrangements.
What if I have special needs?
We will make every effort to accommodate any special needs you may have. We strongly encourage you to call in advance so that we can properly prepare to make you comfortable. Do not hesitate to call and suggest anything that may make your day easier.
Procedure Day
Preparing for any medical procedure can feel overwhelming or scary if you don’t know what to expect. First, if you have unanswered questions or concerns about your appointment, ask! Our team is here to help you have a clear understanding of what to expect prior to your treatment.
To expedite your check-in, and to help make your visit easy and enjoyable, we strongly encourage you to complete all registration forms before the day of your procedure.
Check-in & Admission
Check-in
We ask that patients arrive before their provided arrival time. When you arrive, you’ll check in at the registration desk to verify personal, escort (responsible adult/driver), and insurance information. At this time, our staff will answer any questions you may have.
Pre-Procedure
After checking in, you will be settled into your suite where you will be asked to change into a hospital gown. A nurse will then perform a health interview, check your vitals, and prepare you for your procedure. Your escort can stay in the room until it is time for your procedure. Your physician and will come to your suite to discuss your procedure with you and answer any questions.
After Your Procedure
After your procedure, you will be taken back to your suite. There, you will be monitored and given time to recover. The length of time will depend on the type of procedure you had. When it is time to leave, a staff member will go over instructions on how to take care of yourself at home. You may also be given prescriptions to be filled.
Post-Procedure Care
After your procedure, you will be taken back to your suite. There, you will be monitored and given time to recover. The length of time spent in your suite will depend on the type of procedure you had. When it is time to leave, a staff member will go over instructions on how to take care of yourself at home. You may also be given prescriptions that you will need to have filled. If you need assistance getting to your car, a staff member will help you out.
We recommend that patients take it easy for the first few days following a procedure. Feeling tired and minor discomfort are both normal immediately following your procedure.
Be sure to keep all post-procedure appointments that you have with your doctor.
Transportation
Do not drive or operate machinery on the day of your procedure.
Post-Operation & Pain Relief
The management of your pain is of great importance to us. We assess your level of pain from the time of admission until you receive our post-procedure call at home. You will be asked to rate the intensity of your pain on a numerical scale from zero (0) to ten (10), with each number representing a degree of pain. We will use this input to alter the therapy as needed to assure your comfort.
We will often use a combination of different modalities to help make you comfortable, including oral medications, intravenous medications, nerve blocks, and local anesthetic during the procedure. Prior to the procedure, the management of your discomfort will be discussed with you. Please bring up any questions or concerns you may have at this time.
Recovery & Reminders
You can expect the following after your procedure at Vascular & Interventional Specialists.
- You will receive verbal and written care instructions
- Your escort must be available to discuss and sign for these instructions
- If you experience anything unusual after your procedure, please call your physician
- A nurse will call you after your procedure to check on your recovery