Outpatient hysteroscopy for spinal cord patients – what to do before your appointment

Read our guide below about what you need to before your outpatient hysteroscopy.

You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.

Before your appointment

Make your usual transport arrangements to the Spinal Outpatients Unit for this appointment. You can bring a family member or friend with you

Remember to eat as usual and take your usual medication.

You must also:

• bring all your medication with you, for example, Nifedipine, Glyceryl trinitrate spray or patches
• do your normal bowel evacuation routine the evening before or on the morning of the procedure.
• make sure your warfarin INR levels are between 1.5 and 3 (we’ll need to cancel the procedure if they’re not)
• get a review of your medication if you’re on one of the new oral anticoagulants (NOAC’s). We’ll discuss dosages with you before your hysteroscopy.

Please arrive 40 minutes before the appointment time for preparation.

What happens when I arrive for my appointment?

We’ll pre-assess you to make sure you’re well enough for the procedure. We’ll then help you undress and put on a gown.

If you do intermittent self-catheterization, empty your bladder just before we transfer you to the hysteroscopy suite. It’s a separate department in another part of the hospital and we’ll stay with you throughout the procedure.

Tell the nursing staff if you experience autonomic dysreflexia (AD). It’s associated with patients who have spinal cord injury at or above the 6th thoracic
vertebra (T6).

Any painful stimulus below the level of the spinal injury can trigger AD and can cause a sudden severe rise in blood pressure (hypertension). This can lead to a stroke and epileptic fit and for this reason should always be treated as a medical emergency.

During the procedure

You must tell us immediately if you have:

• a severe pounding headache
• profuse sweating
• blurred vision
• increase in spasm
• flushed appearance

Or feel generally unwell.

How can I help reduce healthcare associated infections?

Infection prevention and control is important to the wellbeing of our patients so we have procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections.

You, and anyone visiting you, must use the hand sanitiser available at the entrance to every ward before coming in and after you leave. You may need to wash your hands at the sink using soap and water. Hand sanitisers are not suitable for dealing with patients who have symptoms of diarrhoea.

More help or advice

Contact our patient advice and liaison service (PALS) on 01296 316042 or bht.pals@nhs.net