The interventional suite acts as a strong support system to several other programs within the hospital as well as to referring hospitals within the community. For Grand River Hospital's growing dialysis population, the interventional suite is responsible for the insertion of the majority of catheters required to receive dialysis and for their subsequent maintenance. Grafts and fistulas that are surgically placed can be evaluated through angiograms and malfunctions corrected by procedures such as angioplasty. The Interim Cancer Centre also frequently uses the suite with referrals for central line placements and palliative care procedures, to aid in the delivery of chemotherapy and other long-term medications. Vascular studies are performed to assess circulation problems or serve as a work-up pre-operatively. We are proud to offer these specialized procedures, so that members of our community do not need to travel to outlying centres.
Some radiological examinations require the use of contrast media, an iodine containing liquid injected into the body to enhance x-ray procedures. When contrast media is used, a consent form must be signed. If you are unable to understand English, please bring a translator with you on the day of the exam. Mild reactions to contrast media include nausea and hives. More severe reactions, such as a drop in blood pressure, may occur. If you are asthmatic or have had an allergic reaction to contrast media in the past, please notify your referring physician and the secretary scheduling your appointment. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation or postponement of your exam. Your health is our priority, and it is necessary that we are aware of any possible risks or complications.
These exams require the use of x-rays. Therefore, you should postpone any of these exams if there is any possibility that you could be pregnant. If you are presently taking metformin please inform the secretary scheduling your appointment.
| PROCEDURE |
PREPARATION |
PROCEDURE TIME |
DESCRIPTION |
| Angiogram |
Nothing to eat or drink from 11:00 p.m. the night prior to exam. Medications (except blood thinners) may be taken with a small amount of water. Blood work if not arranged by your doctor will be done upon arrival to the Medical Day Unit. Please bring any puffers, nitro spray etc. that you feel you may require. You will be required to sign a consent form.You will need someone drive you home. |
You are required to check in at Outpatient Registration 1½ hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day Unit. The exam will take approximately 1½ hours. Complete bed rest is required after the procedure for 6 to 8 hoursYou will be monitored in the Medical Day Unit after the procedure until discharge. |
A small tube called a catheter is placed in an artery or vein and x-ray dye injected to visualize a specific area of the body. |
|
Angioplasty
|
Nothing to eat or drink from 11:00 p.m. the night prior to exam.
Medications (except blood thinners) may be taken with a small amount of water.
Blood work if not arranged by your doctor will be done upon arrival to the
Medical Day Unit. Please bring any puffers, nitro spray etc. that you feel
you may require. You will be required to sign a consent form.
|
All angioplastys with the exception of dialysis grafts /
fistulas require admission to the hospital. Patients will report to Admitting
and be directed to their floor. Approximate length of exam is 1 ½ hours.
Patient will be discharged according to radiologist’s order.
You will be monitored in the Medical Day Unit after the
procedure until discharge.
|
A small tube called a catheter is placed in an artery or
vein and x-ray dye is injected to visualized any area of narrowing. A special
catheter with a balloon is exchanged for the original catheter and the
balloon is inflated to open the narrowed segment.
|
|
Biliary Drainage/ Cholecystostomy
|
Nothing to eat or drink 4-6 hours prior to exam.
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water. Check with your doctor
to see if blood thinners should be discontinued. Blood work and antibiotics
will be ordered by the referring physician. You will be required to sign a
consent form.
|
If not already an inpatient, patients will report to
Admitting and be directed to their floor. Approximate length of exam is 2
hrs. Patient will be sent to the Recovery Room for 1 – 2 hrs and require an
overnight stay.
|
A small needle is put into the liver and x-ray dye is
injected to visualize biliary ducts (tubes that drain bile from the liver) A
tube will then be placed into one of these ducts and attached to a drainage
bag permitting drainage of bile from the liver.
|
|
Biopsy
|
Nothing to eat or drink meal prior to exam. Medications
may be taken with a small amount of water. Check with your doctor to see if
blood thinners should be discontinued.
Blood work if not arranged by your doctor will be done
upon arrival to the Medical Day Unit. You will be required to sign a consent
form.
|
You are required to check in at Outpatient Registration 1½
hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the Medical Day Unit.
The exam will take approximately 1hr.
After the exam the patient will be required to remain in
the Medical Day Unit for observation for 3-4 hrs.
|
A needle will be inserted into the area to be examined and
a small sample of tissue will be taken and sent for analysis.
|
|
Common Bile Duct Stone Removal
|
Nothing to eat or drink 4-6 hours prior to exam.
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water. Check with your doctor
to see if blood thinners should be discontinued.
The referring physician will order Blood work. You will be
required to sign a consent form.
|
You are required to check in at Outpatient Registration 1½
hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day Unit.
The exam will take approximately 2 hours. Patient will be discharged
according to radiologist’s order.
|
X-ray dye will be injected into the t-tube already in
place, to visualize the stone(s). the t-tube is then removed and a device is
placed in the existing tract into the biliary ducts until it traps or crushes
the stone(s).
Another tube may have to be put into the tract to allow
for drainage of bile.
|
|
Declotting of Arm Graft
|
Nothing to eat or drink 4-6 hours prior to exam.
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water. Check with your doctor
to see if blood thinners should be discontinued. You will be required to sign
a consent form.
|
You are required to check in at Outpatient Registration 1½
hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day Unit.
The exam will take approximately 2 – 2 ½ hours. Patient will be discharged
according to radiologist’s order.
|
X-ray dye will be injected into the fistula / graft to
visualize the area of blockage. A special device is then inserted to remove
clots from the area.
|
|
Dialysis Catheter Insertion
|
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water.
Check with your doctor to see if blood thinners can be discontinued.
The referring physician will order Blood work. You will be
required to sign a consent form.
|
You are required to check in at Outpatient Registration 1½
hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day Unit.
The exam will take approximately 1 hour. Patient will be discharged according
to radiologist’s order approximately 1 hr after exam.
|
A catheter will be inserted in a vein at a site most
suitable for the patient and a tube will be inserted. This tube will remain
in and allow for dialysis access as needed.
|
|
Dialysis Catheter Change
|
No preparation
|
Approximate length of exam ½ to 1hr. You may be asked to
wait 30 – 60 minutes after the exam for observation.
|
Existing catheter will be exchanged over a wire and a new
catheter will be inserted.
|
|
Gastrostomy / Jejunostomy
(G or J tube Insertion)
|
Nothing to eat or drink from 11:00 p.m. the night prior to exam.
Medications (except blood thinners) may be taken with a small amount of
water. Blood work if not arranged by your doctor will be done upon arrival to
the Medical Day Unit. Please bring any puffers, nitro spray etc. that you
feel you may require. You will be required to sign a consent form.
You will be monitored in the Medical Day Unit after the
procedure until discharge.
|
You are required to check in at Outpatient Registration 1½
hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day Unit.
The exam will take approximately 1 hour. Patient will be discharged according
to radiologist’s order approximately 1 hr after exam.
|
Air will be injected into the nasogastric tube to inflate
the stomach. A needle will be placed
into the stomach allowing a pathway for the tube that will remain in the
stomach or jejunum (small bowel).
Part of the tube (G or J tube) will be visible outside the skin and
will be the entry site for feeding.
|
|
Epidural Injection
|
No preparation is required. You will be required to sign a
consent form.
|
Approximate length of exam is ½ hour. Patient may be observed for ½ hour in
Medical Imaging Department post-procedure.
|
A small needle is inserted into the back and cortisone is
injected.
|
|
Change of G or J tube
|
No prep.
|
Approximate length of exam is 30-60 minutes. Patient comes directly to Medical Imaging
for procedure.
|
Existing tube in the stomach or small bowel is exchanged
over a wire for a new tube. X-ray dye
may need to be injected.
|
|
Hickman Catheter (Central line Non-Dialysis) insertion
|
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water.
Check with your doctor to see if blood thinners can be discontinued.
The referring physician will order Blood work. You will be
required to sign a consent form.
|
You are required to check in at Outpatient Registration 1½
hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day Unit.
The exam will take approximately 1 hour. Patient will be discharged according
to radiologist’s order approximately 1 hr after exam.
|
A catheter (small tubing) will be placed in a vein in the
neck or chest. This allows venous
access for the patient.
|
|
Inferior Venacavagram
|
Nothing to eat or drink 4-6 hours prior to exam.
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water. Check with your doctor
to see if blood thinners should be discontinued. You will be required to sign
a consent form.
|
You are required to check in at Outpatient Registration 1½
hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day Unit.
The exam will take approximately 1 hour. Patient will be discharged according
to radiologist’s order approximately 1-2 hrs after exam.
|
A catheter (small tubing) will be placed in a vein in the
groin area and x-ray dye injected.
X-rays will be taken.
|
|
Insertion of Vena Cava Filter
|
Nothing to eat or drink 4-6 hours prior to exam.
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water. Check with your doctor
to see if blood thinners should be discontinued. You will be required to sign
a consent form.
|
Approximate time of procedure 1 to 1.5 hours. This procedure will be done on inpatients
only. After procedure, patient will
be sent to the recovery room for 1-2 hours.
|
A catheter (small tubing) will be placed in the femoral
vein in the groin area. X-ray dye
will be injected to see the inferior vena cava (large vein in the middle of
the abdomen connecting the leg veins to the heart and lungs). A filter (metallic device) will then be
positioned within the vein. This
Filter will remain in the body permanently.
|
|
Nephrostomy
|
Nothing to eat for 4-6 hours before exam. Medications may
be taken with a small amount of water. Routine blood work will be done upon
your arrival. Patient will be started on antibiotics if not previously
arranged. Check with your doctor to see if blood thinners should be
discontinued. You will be required to sign a consent form.
|
You are required to check in at Outpatient Registration 1½
hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day Unit.
The exam will take approximately 1 -2 hours.
Complete bed rest is required after the procedure for 6 to
8 hours
You will be monitored in the Medical Day Unit after the
procedure until discharge.
|
A needle will be put into the kidney and x-ray dye
injected to allow positioning of the nephrostomy tube. A drainage bag will be attached to this
tube collecting urine as it drains.
|
|
PASS-PORT
|
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water.
Routine blood work will be done upon your arrival. Patient may be started on
antibiotics if not previously arranged. Check with your doctor to see if
blood thinners should be discontinued. You will be required to sign a consent
form.
|
You are required to check in at outpatient registration
1½ hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day
Unit. The exam will take approximately 2 hours. Patient will be sent to the
recovery room after the procedure for 1 hour and then to the Medical Day Unit
to be monitored for 1-3 hours until discharge.
|
A small incision will be made in the arm below the elbow
area and a small device placed under the skin. This device is connected by a plastic tube into a large vein
allowing repetitive venous access. X-ray
dye will be injected to confirm correct position.
|
|
PORT-A-CATH
|
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water.
Routine blood work will be done upon your arrival. Patient may be started on
antibiotics if not previously arranged. Check with your doctor to see if
blood thinners should be discontinued. You will be required to sign a consent
form.
|
You are required to check in at outpatient registration
1½ hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day
Unit. The exam will take approximately 2 hours. Patient will be sent to the
recovery room after the procedure for 1 hour and then to the Medical Day Unit
to be monitored for 1-3 hours until discharge.
|
A small incision will be made under the collarbone and a
small device inserted under the skin.
This device will be connected to a large vein by way of small plastic
tubing. X-ray dye will be injected to
confirm position. This device permits
repetitive intravenous access for the patient when needed.
|
|
Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Insertion
|
Nothing to eat or drink from 11:00 p.m. the night prior to exam.
Medications (except blood thinners) may be taken with a small amount of
water. Blood work if not arranged by your doctor will be done upon arrival to
the Medical Day Unit. Antibiotics will be prescribed by referring doctor 2
days before exam. Patient should
check with their nephrologist if their bowels are not moving daily before
their exam so that he may order a stool softener or laxative. You will be
required to sign a consent form.
|
You are required to check in at outpatient registration
1½ hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day
Unit. The exam will take approximately 1- 1½
hours. After the procedure,
the patient will go to the renal clinic where the catheter will be flushed by
the dialysis nurse. The patient will
be discharged approximately 1-2 hours after the procedure.
|
A small incision will be made below and to the side of the
navel.A tube called “Peritoneal
Dialysis Catheter” will be inserted through the wall of your abdomen into
your peritoneal cavity.4”-6” of the
catheter will extend outside of your abdomen allowing access for your
dialysis. X-ray dye will be injected
during procedure.
|
|
PIC Catheter
|
No prep required. You will be required to sign a consent
form.
|
The exam will take approximately ½ to 1 hour. Patient will be discharged immediately.
|
A needle will be injected into a vein in the arm (usually
at the elbow area).A small catheter
is then inserted into this vein and directed into a larger central vein in
the chest. X-ray dye sometimes is
needed to confirm position.
|
|
Small Bowel Intubation
|
No prep required. You will be required to sign a consent
form.
|
The exam will take approximately ½ to 1 hour. Patient will be discharged immediately.
|
Small plastic tubing is inserted into the patient’s
nostril and advanced into the small bowel.
X-ray dye may be used to confirm position.
|
|
Stent Insertion (I) Biliary Stent
|
Nothing to eat or drink from 11:00 p.m. the night prior to the
exam. Medications may be taken with a small amount of water. Check with your
doctor to see if blood thinners should be discontinued. Blood work and
antibiotics will be ordered by the referring physician. You will be required
to sign a consent form.
|
You are required to check in at outpatient registration
1½ hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day
Unit. The exam will take approximately 1 to 1½ hours. Patient will be observed in recovery after
the procedure for 1 hour and then in Medical Day Unit for 3-5 hours.
|
A small plastic or metallic device will be inserted by means
of a catheter or drainage tube into the area of obstruction in the biliary
duct. X-ray dye will be injected
before and after the procedure to confirm results.
|
|
Stent Insertion
(II) Ureteric
|
Nothing to eat or drink from 11:00 p.m. the night prior to the exam.
Medications may be taken with a small amount of water. Check with your doctor
to see if blood thinners should be discontinued. Blood work will be ordered
by the referring physician. Often, antibiotics will be ordered. You will be
required to sign a consent form.
|
You are required to check in at outpatient registration
1½ hours prior to exam time. You will then be directed to the medical Day
Unit. The exam will take approximately 1 to 1½ hours. Patient will be observed in recovery after
the procedure for 1 hour and then in Medical Day Unit for 1-3 hours.
|
A small plastic device will be inserted by means of an
existing nephrostomy tube or catheter to keep open the ureter. (Ureter refers to the tube that connects
the kidney to the bladder). X-ray dye
will be injected.
|
|
Stent Insertion
(III) Vascular
|
Nothing to eat or drink from 11:00 p.m. the night prior to the
exam. Medications may be taken with a small amount of water. Check with your
doctor to see if blood thinners should be discontinued. Blood work will be
ordered by the referring physician. You will be required to sign a consent
form.
|
Patient will be admitted for the procedure. Approximate time of procedure 1 - 1½
hours. Patient will be observed in
Recovery Room for 1 hour and then back to the floor of their admission. Patient will be discharged next day.
|
An angiogram will be done to show the area of
narrowing.In most cases, dilatation
of this area will be done (angioplasty).
A small metallic device will be inserted by means of a catheter then
to make sure this narrowed area remains open. X-ray dye will be injected during the procedure.
|
