Patient Instructions

Your cardiologist's office will schedule your procedure with our staff at the hospital. Please work with them to pick the best date for you.

It is your responsibility to pre-authorize the procedure with your health insurance company. Check with your physician's office staff to see if they provide this service.

Please call ahead to pre-register for your procedure. This will save you time and eliminate paperwork when you arrive at the hospital.

Our pre-registration line is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Have your health insurance information available. Also, be ready to give us the name of your primary care or family medicine doctor.

Please complete the health history and medication forms securely online before you arrive at the hospital. We will email you a link to the online forms web page when you call to pre-register. This is the only way to access these forms online.

If you do not have access to the internet, you can fill out these forms in the hospital before your procedure.

Please note that we are required to have you fill out these patient history forms. We need them in addition to the forms that you fill out for your surgeon or doctor.

We will call you after 3:00 p.m. the day before your procedure and tell you the time you should arrive at the hospital. If you will be unavailable the day before your procedure, please call the cath lab after 3:00 p.m.

Note: Your arrival time will be earlier than your scheduled procedure so we have time to prepare you for the procedure.

Find the type of procedure you are having below to determine what you can eat and drink before your procedure:

Heart Catheterization/Angiography Procedure:

• Do not eat anything 6 hours prior to your procedure.
• You may have clear liquids up to 2 hours before your procedure. OK liquids include:
  • Water
  • Bouillon
  • Clear Jello
  • Popsicles
  • Gatorade
  • Apple Juice (no pulp)
  • Soda pop
  • Coffee and clear tea (without cream)
• Do not eat or drink dairy products of any kind.
• Do not eat or drink products with artificial red coloring.
• Do not use gum, breath mints, chewing tobacco, smoking tobacco, or vitamins within four hours prior to your procedure.

Electrophysiology (Heart Rhythm) Study

• DO NOT EAT, DRINK, OR SMOKE ANYTHING after midnight the night before your procedure.

Transesophageal Echocardiogram

• Do not take anything by mouth 6 hours prior to your procedure.

Follow your doctor's directions about taking your medications the day of your procedure. If you do not have these instructions, please call your doctor.

Please bring a list of all your medications (including herbal and over-the-counter medications) with you the day of your procedure. The list should include dosages and how frequently you take each medicine.

If you are on oxygen or use a CPAP machine at home, bring it with you to the hospital.

Call the cath lab and let us know what your needs are. Free translation services are available 24 hours a day in all spoken languages and American sign language.

If you become ill before your procedure, you may need to reschedule. Notify your doctor if you develop any of the following:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Cough or congestion
• Chicken pox exposure/illness within two weeks of your procedure
• Any other problems that may interfere with your scheduled procedure

Follow these steps before you come to the hospital:

• Bathe and shampoo before coming to the hospital.
• Make sure your hair is dry prior to arriving. Pull back long hair with an elastic band.
• Wear loose clothing that is easy to get off and on, which will fit over a dressing.
• If you are scheduled to arrive at 11:00 a.m. or later, call us before you leave home to see if any changes have been made to the schedule.

Here is a general list of what you should bring to the hospital:

• Cases for eyeglasses, contact lenses or hearing aids. All personal belongings will remain with your family member during the procedure.
• A small bag with personal items only (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, comb or brush, shaving kit, other toiletries), if you are staying overnight.
• Cash or a credit card for your co-pays (depending on your insurance) and filling any post-surgical prescriptions.
• The following documents, if applicable: Photo ID (such as a driver's license), insurance card(s), Medicare and/or Medicaid cards, a completed Living Will (if you have one).

Do not bring valuables.

One to two family members should stay within the facility during your stay to receive instructions from the care team. A parent or guardian of a patient under 18 should stay in the facility until the patient is discharged. (If you are a guardian of a patient, bring copies of forms indicating guardianship or power of attorney.)

A responsible person should be prepared to drive you home. Driving yourself home is NOT permitted. If you do not have a responsible person to drive you home, your procedure will be cancelled.

A responsible adult should be prepared to care for you for the first 24 hours after your procedure.

The CV Cath Lab is located at Intermountain Medical Center, Building #4 on Level 1. When you arrive, please check in at Patient Registration on Level 1.