Instructions and Information for Procedures / Tests  

Procedure Name: Pacemaker

Department Responsible for performing Procedure:
Cardiology

Department Contact Information:
(770) 991-8295

Where to Report:
Please enter at the Outpatient Entrance (view map) and go to the Admissions desk (view map) two hours before your scheduled procedure. You will be directed to the Outpatient Procedure Unit (view map) where your procedure will be done.

What to Bring:
- Physician Order
- Any forms from your physician relating to this visit
- Your insurance / Medicaid / Medicare card
- Driver's License / Photo Identification
- All of your medications OR a listing of all medications along with the dose, how often you take it, and the last time you took it
- A list of all of your allergies
- Please check with your insurance carrier for any authorization requirements.
- Any films or reports from relevant studies not performed at Southern Regional.

Patient Instructions:
- No food or drink after midnight the night before the procedure.
- Shower or bathe the day of the procedure prior to your arrival.
- Please read the Procedure Information for additional instructions and information.
- Please follow any other specific instructions given to you by your doctor.

Procedure Information:
You will lie on a bed and the nurse will start an IV (intravenous) line to deliver medications and fluids during the procedure. An antibiotic will be given through your IV at the beginning of the procedure to help prevent infection. You will receive a medication through your IV to make you drowsy. The medication will not put you to sleep. If you are uncomfortable or need anything during the procedure, please let the nurse know. The doctor will numb your skin by injecting a local numbing medication. You will feel a pinching or burning feeling at first. Then the area will become numb. Once this occurs, an incision will be made to insert the pacemaker and leads. You may feel a pulling as the doctor makes a pocket in the tissue under your skin for the pacemaker. You should not feel pain. If you do, tell your nurse. A pacemaker is about the size of a silver dollar and about as thick as two silver dollars. After the pocket is made, the doctor will insert the pacemaker leads into a vein and guide them into position using a special machine. After the leads are in place, the doctor will test the leads to make sure they are in the right position. After the leads are tested the doctor will connect them to the pacemaker. It is very important to tell your doctor or nurse any symptoms you feel. Any pain should be reported immediately. The procedure lasts approximately 2 hours.

Additional Information:
The waiting area (view map) is located in the Cardiology Department for family members.