You have been scheduled to come to Cleveland Clinic for your cardioversion procedure. Please follow these important instructions.
A few weeks before the procedure
If you take Coumadin (warfarin): If your INR blood work is done by your local doctor or a non-Cleveland Clinic lab, send your results to the EP Lab (Fax: 216.445.6160) as soon as possible. Your INR results must be within the therapeutic range of 2 and above for three weeks in a row before your cardioversion. If your results are not within this range, your procedure may be rescheduled. Please call the EP Scheduling Nurse at 216.444.2200, Pager 21215, for more information.
If you take a different type of anticoagulant (blood thinner), you must take your medication as prescribed for 3 weeks (21 consecutive days) before your procedure. Call the EP Scheduling Nurse if you miss a dose. Your procedure may need to be rescheduled.
The day before the procedure
Procedure time
- To find out your procedure time and where to report for your appointment, call the EP Scheduling Nurse from 3-5 pm, Monday through Friday at 216.444.2200 or 800.223.2273 and ask for Pager 21215. If your procedure is scheduled on a Monday, please call the Friday before. If your procedure is scheduled near a holiday, please call the last business day before the holiday.
- The time you are told to come in for your procedure is your check-in time and not the actual time of the procedure. The extra time is needed to get you ready for your procedure.
- When you call for your procedure time, please ask the nurse for details about taking medications and over-the-counter items on the day of your procedure.
- Emergency situations and unexpected delays may cause your procedure to be delayed or canceled.
We are committed to providing each patient with the best care. We will do our best to make sure you and your visitors are as comfortable as possible during your stay.
Eating, drinking, tobacco use
Eat a normal meal the evening before your procedure. DO NOT eat, drink or chew anything after 12 midnight. This includes gum, mints, water, etc. Do not use tobacco products after 12 midnight.
The day of the procedure
On the day of your procedure, go to Desk J2-1, on the second floor of the J Building/Miller Pavilion.
Before you come to the hospital:
- Don’t swallow water when you brush your teeth.
- Do not wear makeup or nail polish.
- Do not wear jewelry, including wedding rings.
- Do not use deodorant, powder, cream or lotion.
- Do not bring jewelry, money or valuables to the hospital.
- You must bring a responsible adult to drive you home after the procedure. The medication used during the procedure will make you drowsy, so it is unsafe for you to drive. You cannot drive for 24 hours after the procedure.
- Wear comfortable, easy-to-fold clothing. You will change into a gown before the procedure.
- We request a urine sample from all women of childbearing age to make sure you are not pregnant.
- If you have a doctor’s appointment at Cleveland Clinic on the day of your procedure, plan to spend the entire day at the hospital.
Traveling to Cleveland Clinic
- For driving directions and up-to-date information about local road construction, please call our recorded directions line at 216.444.9500 or 800.223.2273 ext. 49500.
- To make reservations at the hotels on the Cleveland Clinic campus, please call 877.707.8999.
- If you need additional lodging information, please call our Housing Information Line at 800.223.2273 ext. 44848.
Insurance questions
If you have any insurance concerns regarding this procedure or admission, please contact the financial counselor at 800.223.2273 ext. 44811.
Phone numbers
To get your procedure time or ask questions about preparing for the procedure, please call:
EP Scheduling Nurse: 216.444.2200 or 800.223.2273 - ask for Pager 21215, 3-5 pm, Monday through Friday.
We will contact you if there are any changes to the procedure schedule. If you need to cancel the procedure for any reason, please call the EP Scheduling Nurse as soon as possible.
For urgent matters, contact:
EP Fellow On-Call
After regular business hours, please call 216.444.2200 or 800.223.2273 and ask for the EP Fellow On-Call.
