Your physician has referred you for treatment or diagnostic studies related to your condition. Before your scheduled appointment, please read over this information carefully. You will receive a pre-operative phone call the day before your procedure. If you do not hear from us, please call us at 720-493-4109 to listen to our pre-operative instructions.

Preparing for your Procedure

Please arrive 60 minutes prior to your procedure. This will allow us to verify your medical information and provide you with details on your procedure.  You will also meet with the physician and pertinent staff members to answer any questions you may have.

Before Your Procedure

• One of our clinical staff will call you the day before your procedure to discuss the procedure and any medical concerns such as diabetes, anticoagulants therapy, if you have an active infection, or may be pregnant.  If you are on blood thinners, check with your referring physician regarding holding these medications prior to your procedure.
  
  
• Let us know if you have any allergies to food, medications and/or latex.
  
  
• DO NOT eat or drink anything for six (6) hours prior to your procedure.  This includes such items as gum, candy, mints, or tobacco.
  
  
• You should not return to work the day of the procedure.
  
  
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing.  Please leave valuables and jewelry at home.  If you wear glasses bring a case with you.
  
  
• Bring with you a list of any medications or herbal supplements you are taking and their dosages.  Inform us of any allergies to food or medications. 
  
  
• Take necessary/routine medications with only a sip of water. You may continue to take oral pain medications prior to your procedure and patches can be left on.  DO NOT TAKE Motrin/Ibuprofen/Aleve/Advil/ASA/Plavix or Coumadin, as well as vitamin E or fish oil, as per your physicians orders.
  
  
• You must have someone to drive you home and stay with you for at least twelve (12) hours following your procedure, due to the sedating medications you will receive.  Taxi cabs can be used only if you have someone in addition to the driver accompany you.
  
  
  Please call us at 720-493-4100 and ask to speak to one of our registered nurses if you have additional questions. 

 After Your Procedure 

• You will spend approximately 30 minutes in the PACU after your procedure.  You may experience some normal side effects of anesthesia.  Our PACU staff will evaluate your response to the procedure.
  
  
• Resume a normal diet and your normal medication schedule.  Have an adult stay with you for the next twelve (12) hours and take it easy.
  
  
• NO driving, alcohol or operating heavy equipment the day of receiving IV sedation.
  
  
• You MAY return to work and resume all of your previous activities, including physical therapy and driving the day following your procedure.
  
  
• You may have numbness lasting several hours after the procedure.
  
  
• You may have local soreness at the injection site for one or two days. Ice the area, ten (10) minutes at a time for the first three (3) hours following any injection and then as needed for local pain.
  
  
• Some patients, especially those having discograms, may have an increase in their pain for up to five (5) days following an injection.  If you experience this, please rest, resume your regular pain medication and call your physician if your pain persists.
  
  
• If you receive steroids in your injection you may notice an improvement in your usual pain within 2 – 3 days. It may take as long as 10 – 14 days for the medication to fully take effect.  Although most patients do not have any side effects from steroids, the following are possible: sweating, flushing, palpitations, increased heart rate, insomnia, anxiety, headache, menstrual changes, upset stomach, frequent urination, and slight fever with flu like symptoms.  If any of these side effects become significant or persist longer than three (3) days, please contact your physician.
  
  
• Diabetic patients who receive steroids may have an increase in their blood sugar levels.  Ask your physician how to adjust your medication prior to the procedure.
  
  
• Follow your physician’s post-operative orders as directed.
  
  

• Please bring your insurance card and a personal identification card/driver license with you.
  
  
• Self-pay patients will be required to pay for services on or before the admission date.  MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, Care Credit or checks are accepted by the center.
  
  
• Patients with verified insurance will be required to pay the estimated co-pay and/or unmet deductible on the day of treatment.
  
  
• In the event that any of the above requirements cannot be met, we will attempt to make other financial arrangements.  These arrangements must be made prior to admission and must be approved by the Business Office Manager.
  
  
• As a courtesy, Greenwood ASC will bill your insurance on your behalf.  All patients with Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage will be asked to sign a promissory note to insure payment and explanation of benefits is sent to our office at time of receipt. 
  
  
• If you have any questions about the financial arrangements, please contact the business office at the number below.
  
  
• If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call Greenwood ASC at 720-493-4100.
  
  
• To schedule or change your appointment, please call your physician’s office.

We at GASC will do our best by working with you to make appropriate financial arrangements; however, these arrangements must be finalized before the date of your appointment and approved by our Administrator.

Please call us at 720-493-4100 with questions or for additional information.