Ascension St. Vincent's NeuroSpine Center - Birmingham

Pain Procedures:
When scheduling your procedure, a nurse will provide information. If you have any questions please feel free to call and discuss your plan of care with one of our nurses.
Please sign in at the registration desk. Once your registration is complete and your suite is ready, you will be escorted back for the nurses to prepare you for your procedure. EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ADHERE TO THE SCHEDULE. However, sometimes unforeseen circumstances or emergencies do arise that will cause an unanticipated delay. Should this occur, we will keep you informed of these delays and their expected duration.

After changing into a patient gown, a Registered Nurse will conduct your admission assessment, start your IV, and prepare you for your procedure. An Anesthesiologist will also visit you to conduct an assessment and answer any questions regarding anesthesia. If any additional testing is required, it will be done at this time.
You should expect to be in your suite for approximately one hour before your procedure. Your family member(s), if you choose, may stay with you in your room before your procedure. When you are taken for your procedure, your family will be asked to go to our waiting room. Average stay is 2.5 to 3.5 hours. We require that someone accompany you and remain in the Center during your procedure. This person should be prepared to drive you home.

If you are having a pain procedure, you and your family will be able to ask questions before the procedure. Our pain doctors do not routinely talk with family members after the completion of the procedure. Following the procedure, you will stay in our recovery area for 30 minutes. If you experience any complication from your pain procedure once home, contact our pain nurse immediately. We will call to check on you two to three days following your procedure.

All patients must be accompanied by a designated driver on the day of surgery. You will not be able to drive yourself home after a procedure or surgery. All patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

 
Surgical Procedures:
If you are having surgery in The Neurospine Center at St. Vincent's Birmingham, one of our nurses will contact you the evening before your surgery for a health interview and to provide any specific instructions you need prior to your procedure. Please remember - DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight.

When you arrive at the Center the day of your surgery, please sign in at the registration desk. Once your registration is complete and your suite is ready, you will be escorted back for the nurses to prepare you for your procedure. EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ADHERE TO THE SCHEDULE. However, sometimes unforeseen circumstances or emergencies do arise that will cause an unanticipated delay. Should this occur, we will keep you informed of these delays and their expected duration.

After changing into a patient gown, a Registered Nurse will conduct your admission assessment, start your IV, and prepare you for your procedure. An Anesthesiologist will also visit you to conduct an assessment and answer any questions regarding anesthesia. If any additional testing is required, it will be done at this time.

You should expect to be in your suite for approximately one hour before your procedure. Your family member(s), if you choose, may stay with you in your room before your procedure. When you are taken for your procedure, your family will be asked to go to our waiting room.

After surgery, your surgeon will meet in private with your family member(s) to discuss the results of the procedure. You will be taken to your room for recovery. After the first phase of recovery (approximately 60 minutes), your family may stay with you.

Before going home, you will be offered snacks and something to drink. We will make sure that any discomfort due to pain or nausea is addressed. One of our discharge nurses will give you instructions on what to expect once you leave our facility and what to do if you have any questions or concerns.

Once you have met discharge criteria, one of the Center associates will transport you via wheelchair to your car. It is important that you do not operate machinery, drive, drink alcoholic beverages, or make important legal decisions for 24 hours following discharge. If you experience any complication from your surgery once home, contact your surgeon immediately. We will call to check on you one to two days following your surgery.
 
General Instructions:
DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING, EVEN WATER, AFTER MIDNIGHT THE DAY BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE.
This includes gum, mints, candy, and chewing tobacco.
• DO NOT wear your contact lenses the day of your procedure.
• DO brush your teeth the morning of your procedure.
• DO wear loose simple clothing that is comfortable and non-constraining.
• DO wear dentures, bridges, and hearing aids the day of your procedure.
• DO remove ANY and ALL body piercing.
• DO leave valuables at home.
• DO notify your physician before your scheduled procedure should you become ill with a fever, cold, sore throat, or other illness.
• DO bring your current insurance card and your driver's license.
• DO notify the pre-admission nurse if you are on any herbal supplements, diet pills, or over the counter medications.
• DIABETIC PATIENTS - DO NOT take your insulin or oral diabetic medication the morning of your procedure. DO bring your insulin with you the day of your procedure
• BLOOD THINNERS or ANTICOAGULANT MEDICATIONS - you will need to discuss stopping these medications prior to your procedure with your physician.
• DO stop Coumadin 5-7 days prior to your procedure.
• DO stop Plavix and Aspirin 10-14 days prior to your procedure.