Patient Information

• For every visit, please bring your drivers license, insurance card, a form of payment should you have copay, and a listing of your current medication.
• We make every effort to keep all of our required paperwork to a minimum and our front office will get you started on these immediately after your arrival.
• Once you are taken back into the clinic for your appointment, the medical assistance will review all the paperwork, take your vitals, and review your surgical history.
• This process may feel redundant but is extremely important!  An accurate medical record is necessary for the physician or practitioner to build their treatment and or surgical plan.
• The medical assist is there to ask questions, eliminating any missed history or medications, that could potentially compromise your care.
• During your visits to our office you will meet many, if not all, of our valued employees.  Should your visit fall short of your expectations, please do not hesitate to let us know.  We strive for excellence in patient care.  Visit our Provider/Staff  page for pictures of these smiling faces.
• After your appointment, should you have any questions or additional concerns that cannot wait for your follow up appointment, please call the office. If your call is transferred and you need to leave a message, understand that with a busy clinic, it may be upwards of 3 hours before we can return your call. We will call you back by the end of the work day. You are also able to communicate to us through the Patient Portal.
• Our secure patient portal allows you to both communicate to our office as well as see your medical record with our office. The portal also provides a list of all your medications and future appointments. Through the portal you can safely email our office, keeping your medical record secure and safe from public view.

Below is a list of insurances that Melbourne Vascular accepts. Should you not see your insurance listed, or have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office directly.

Aetna

Blue Cross (except Blue Select or Florida Healthcare)

CarePlus

Cigna

Coventry

Freedom

GEHA

GHI

Health First Commercial and Medicare

Medicaid

Medicare

Multiplan Commercial

Optimum

Railroad Medicare

Tricare- Standard & Prime

United Healthcare Commercial and Medicare

Veterans Administration

Wellcare

Insurance is often very complicated. The patient is ultimately responsible for knowing their insurance's network, participating providers, and authorization requirements. Our office is here to help!

Following your procedure and observation, you will be released by the Physician to return home.  

Please follow these instructions when you leave:

1. When arriving home, check the procedure catheter site for any evidence of bleeding or swelling that may have occurred during the ride home.  Throughout the rest of the day, periodically look at the site to see if there are any changes.
2. Drink plenty of liquids today - water, juices, coffee, and soda are acceptable
3. No strenuous physical activity  of any kind.  No lifting, sports or heavy cleaning for 48-72 hours
4. You may resume your previous diet, medications, and showering.
5. Feel for the 'thrill' every day.  The trill is the vibration you feel over the fistula that means the blood is flowing through it.  If you cannot feel the thrill, call the Dialysis unit.
6. Your bandage can be removed as soon as you get home or at dialysis.

If any of the following problems should occur:

• Bleeding from the catheter site, apply light pressure directly to the site immediately.  Hold pressure for at least 10 minutes without letting up at all.

• If you have fever, chills, pain or redness over the graft / fistula, or if your fingers or hand on the side the graft fistula (toes or feet for thigh grafts) become cold, painful or blue, call our office.

NUMBERS TO CALL: Call 321-725-8919.

 If after 5pm or holidays/weekends call 321-725-8919; our answering service will contact the Vascular Surgeon On Call.

 If you are unable to reach anyone then you should have someone take you to the nearest Emergency Room and or call 911.

Minor pain, swelling and discoloration may occur at the puncture site and remain for several days and this is normal.  You may take Tylenol if not allergic: 1-2 tabs every 6 hours as needed for pain.  Any further concerns or problems should be reported.  If you have any questions, please call 321-725-8919.

No tubs, jacuzzis, swimming until the puncture site is healed.  No lotions or powders should be applied to the affected area until healed.

DO NOT:

 - wear anything tight around the graft/fistula, this includes clothing or jewelry

 - hang purses or shopping bags from the graft arm

 - allow blood pressures to be taken on the graft arm

 - allow anyone except dialysis personnel stick needles of any kind in the graft / fistula

Following your procedure and observation, you will be released by the Physician to return home.  You must be accompanied by a relative or friend who will be able to stay with you overnight.

Please follow these instructions when you leave:

1. When arriving home, check the procedure catheter site for any evidence of bleeding or swelling that may have occurred during the ride home.  Throughout the rest of the day, periodically look at the site to see if there are any changes.
2. Drink plenty of liquids today - water, juices, coffee, and soda are acceptable
3. No strenuous physical activity  of any kind.  No lifting, sports or heavy cleaning for 48-72 hours
4. Remove bandages after 48 hours

Walking should be kept to a minimum and driving is not recommended for 24 hours.  Rest at home in bed or on the couch for the rest of the day, except to go to the bathroom.  If you do physically heavy work, do not go to work the following day.

If any of the following problems should occur:

• Bleeding from the catheter site, apply firm pressure directly to the site immediately.  Hold pressure for at least 10 minutes without letting up at all.  You should be in a reclining position with the affected leg straight.

• If the foot or leg suddenly becomes numb, cold, or any discoloration occurs, report this at once to the doctor.

REMEMBER, APPLY PRESSURE FIRST TO STOP THE BLEEDING, THEN CALL THE DOCTOR FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS.  EVEN IF THE BLEEDING STOPS, YOU SHOULD CALL THE DOCTOR.

NUMBERS TO CALL:

Call 321-725-8919.  If after 5pm or holidays/weekends call 321-725-8919 and follow the phone tree to the Vascular Surgeon On Call.  Special Instructions: Uncontrolled bleeding, call 911

If you are unable to reach anyone then you should have someone take you to the nearest Emergency Room.

Minor pain, swelling and discoloration may occur at the puncture site and remain for several days and this is normal.  Any further concerns or problems should be reported.  If you have any questions, please call 321-725-8919.

Do not drive today.  No tubs, jacuzzis, swimming until the puncture site is healed.  No lotions or powders should be applied to the affected groin/arm until healed.

Patient Information for Scheduling of Surgical Procedure

You and your doctor have decided to proceed with elective surgery.  Prior to scheduling your surgery, our surgery scheduler will begin the process of retrieving approval and or authorization from your insurance company. This could take upwards of 14 business days depending on the surgery and your insurance requirements. We appreciate your patience.

Depending on your age or the procedure, there may be pre-surgical requirements that include labs, and cardiac and/or pulmonary clearances. Please be aware of which labs your insurance is in network with to avoid additional charges to you.

There are several reasons why your surgery scheduling may be delayed. Prescribed pre-surgical lab work, authorization from your insurance company, conflicts with patient preferred surgical date or facility and surgeon availability, can all cause delay. Our office will do its best to minimize these roadblocks. We ask that you ensure all prescribed lab work or clearance items are done timely.

Should your surgery be scheduled more than 30 days from your last office visit, the operating facilities will require you to return to our office and update your History and Physical. At this time the doctor can answer any additional questions you may have.

When all authorization and/or surgical clearances are received, you will be contacted by the scheduler, Kristen, to set a surgery date.

Cancelling Surgery

If for some reason you are unable to keep your surgery appointment or have any questions, call the surgery scheduler, Kristen at 321-728-5820. If you do not feel well or have a cold, fever, sore throat, diarrhea, or any other health problem, contact the surgical facility and your doctor can help decide if you should proceed with surgery.

Prior to Surgery

It is essential for all prescribed lab work or clearance items be done timely prior to surgery. It is required that you have blood work drawn within 14 days of your scheduled surgery. The scheduler will contact you regarding the need for labs or EKG and forward the required prescriptions to your lab of choice.

One (1) to two (2) days prior to surgery, a nurse from the facility where your surgery will take place will call you to go over pre-surgical instructions; confirming the exact surgical arrival time. This is also an opportunity to discuss any questions or concerns.  Note that the hospital will require you to arrive 2 hours early and that the exact surgery time is subject to change.

Preparing at Home

To prepare for your surgery, follow these guidelines:

Make arrangements for an adult who is 18 years or older to drive you home and be with you the first 24-36 hours after surgery. This is hospital policy and if you are unable to arrange transportation, you will not be able to have your surgical procedure.

The night before surgery, NO eating, NO drinking, and NO smoking after midnight. This includes chewing gum and mints. You can brush your teeth, but do not swallow water. If you are instructed by the Registered Nurse to take medications the morning of surgery, please do so with the least amount of water necessary.

Please purchase Hibiclens soap from your nearest Walgreens Pharmacy and shower from the earlobes down for 5 days prior to surgery. This anti-bacterial and antimicrobial soap will help eliminate any bacteria on your skin and greatly reduce the chances of infection post procedure.

Payment

Please be prepared to receive upwards of four different bills from: the surgeon, anesthesiologist, facility, and lab.

Many facilities, including our own, will call prior to surgery to inform you of your benefits and coverage.

An estimate of your patient responsibility will be communicated and this portion will need to be paid prior to surgery.  Our direct billing office number is 321-728-5820 or you can call our office line at 321-725-8919