Please read bold print immediately upon receipt of this letter.

Re: Pre-Injection Instructions for _______________________

Check in at St. Luke’s Patient Admissions Desk 45 minutes prior to injection time.

Injection time: ____________

Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior.
- No smoking, No coffee, No water, No gum, NOTHING!!! (You can brush your teeth, but do not swallow)

You must have a ride home from the hospital. Hospital Policy won’t let you leave without a ride home. You cannot drive for the rest of the day.

Bring MRI with you. If St. Luke’s has it then that is ok.

What medications are you taking? Write them on paper for Dr. Vorse (type, dosage, frequency). Call Dr. Vorse if you are taking Coumadin. Do NOT take any blood thinning agents, including anti-inflammatory agents such as Motrin, Aleve, and Mobic for 5 days before the injection. Exception: you may take Bextra up until the night before a low back injection. Do not take these for 3 days before a neck injection. Do not take more than one baby aspirin per day for 10 days prior to injection.

If you are allergic to Iodine please let us know. You will need to be treated with medication for two days prior to injection.

Please bring and take all medications as usual. Sunvalley Pain and Sleep Center, does not provide any medications, prescribed or non-prescribed.

Some pain medications are ok. We prefer you not take them in the morning, but if you have to, we recommend ½ doses.

The entire process should take 1 hour to an hour & fifteen minutes.

Once you are registered, you will be directed to the Operating Room. There you will check in with, and answer a few questions for the nurses. You will be given the option of having a mild sedative with your IV medication. All patients having a cervical procedure performed will be given and IV. When Dr. Vorse arrives she will explain the procedure in detail, answer any questions you may have and get your consent for the procedure. You will then be escorted to the O.R. on a gurney and rolled onto a hard table. The nurse will monitor your blood pressure, heart function and breathing. Dr. Vorse will begin the procedure by using the smallest needle possible and provide you with numbing medications. Following the procedure you will be observed for about 20 minutes and then discharged home with a companion. Even though you will probably feel much better after the injection, remember you have had an anesthetic injected near your spinal nerves or cord and you are prohibited from driving that day.

Should you have any questions, please call our office at (208) 726-0000.