Day of Procedure
Your physician has scheduled you for a Thoracentesis or Paracentesis at UMC. Arrive at the UMC Outpatient Center one hour prior to your scheduled procedure time. It is necessary that you go through a nursing assessment to include specific lab work. This hour will allow for that to take place. When you arrive at the Outpatient Center, you will sign in at the front desk to await registration. Once you are registered, you will be escorted to the Testing area where a Registered Nurse will interview you to obtain your medical history. Please be sure to bring with you a complete list of all medications, prescription and over-the-counter, that you are currently taking. Be sure to include the dosage of the medication(s) and how often you take each one. The Pre-Admission Nurse will need this list. Pre-procedure lab work will be performed at this time. It is required that you have only had clear liquids after midnight.
Please bring no more than 2 visitors or family members with you for your procedure. There is very limited seating in the Outpatient lobby and we want your family members to be comfortable during their wait time while your procedure is being performed. You and your family members/visitors will be escorted from the waiting room to the area where the procedure will be performed. At that time, your will be asked to change into a hospital gown. Your clothes and valuables will then be given to your family member (or visitor) to keep while your procedure is being performed. You and your visitors will be given an expected time frame for how long the procedure will take. Please be sure and have a responsible adult remain at UMC throughout the entire length of the procedure.
Procedure
You will be taken to an Ultrasound room where your medical history can be reviewed and consent signed. You will then be asked to change into a gown. DO NOT BE ALARMED IF YOU ARE ASKED SIMILAR QUESTIONS by different staff on several occasions. This is used as a safety check before your procedure. The Ultrasound Technologist will then scan the involved area. The Radiologist will introduce himself and will discuss with you the risks and benefits of the procedure.
Before the procedure starts the Radiologist and Ultrasound Technologist will perform a “Time Out”. The “Time Out” consists of each team member agreeing on the following; CORRECT PATIENT, CORRECT PROCEDURE, CORRECT SURGICAL SITE, CORRECT PATIENT POSITION, and USING THE CORRECT EQUIPMENT. This “Time Out” is performed for your safety. The Radiologist will then numb an area with Lidocaine so that you will not feel the needle placement (for Thoracentesis – your back and for Paracentesis – your abdomen). This may cause a stinging sensation for a few seconds until the numbness takes effect. A series of scans will be taken to confirm that the needle is in place in the pocket of fluid. Once this has been confirmed, a catheter will be put in place and the needle will be removed. The catheter will be attached to a vacuum container to collect the fluid that is drained. If you are having a Thoracentesis, you may feel the need to cough. This is a normal reaction. A final scan will be performed to ensure that all fluid has been removed. Once this is confirmed, the catheter will be removed. A small bandage will be placed over the puncture site.
After the Procedure
If you have received a Paracentesis, you will be allowed to leave immediately after the procedure. The Ultrasound Technologist will give you any special instructions you may require.
If you have received a Thoracentesis, it will be necessary for you to have a chest x-ray following the procedure. This chest x-ray is performed to ensure that your lung(s) are in good condition and there has been no leakage of air into your chest cavity. Once the Radiologist has confirmed this, you will be allowed to leave. The Ultrasound Technologist or Radiology Nurse will give you any special instructions you may require as well as signs and symptoms of concern that would prompt you to notify your physician.