Interventional Procedures

Interventional procedures are minimally invasive exams performed under X-ray, CT, and/or Ultrasound guidance that diagnose and treat certain medical conditions.  These procedures are performed by a radiologist, a medical radiation technologist or diagnostic medical sonographer, and a diagnostic imaging nurse.   

Appointments and Referrals

We now accept eReferrals from Primary Care!  Find us on the OCEAN Health Map.

Ocean eReferral Sign up

If you are a primary care provider and want to sign up for OCEAN eReferral, complete the online quick form or email @email.

We are here to support you. You may reach us at (416) 469-6401 (the main DI line) from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you require assistance outside of regular business hours, you may choose one of the following options:

• Leave a voice mail message at 416-469-6401
• Send us an email at @email  

How to prepare for your appointment

For physicians:

Most procedures at MGH require pre-procedural bloodwork.  Please order the following for your patient:

• eGFR, CBC, PTT from within 30 days of the scheduled exam.
• INR from within 2 days of the scheduled exam. 

If applicable, instruct your patient to continue taking their blood pressure and/or heart medications as normal.

Blood thinners should be withheld prior to the procedure whenever possible.  Please click here for more information on our departmental guidelines.  If you require more information, contact us at (416) 469-6401 or send us an e-mail at @email.

For patients:

To prepare for your procedure, please read and follow the below instructions carefully:

Eating and Drinking:

• Do not eat anything after midnight before your procedure.
• You can drink up to 355 mL/12 oz. of water between midnight and 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time.  Do not drink anything else.
• Do not drink anything starting 2 hours before your scheduled arrival time.  This includes water.

Pre-procedural Bloodwork:

• Most procedures will require bloodwork to be done in-advance of your appointment.  Your physician will give you detailed instructions.  Tell our staff if you have NOT had any bloodwork done prior to your procedure, if you are on any medication, or have any allergies to certain medication.  Blood thinners to be held. 

Medications:

• Bring a list of your current medications, or bring the medication in their original containers.
• On the morning of your procedure, take your blood pressure and/or heart medications with a sip of water, unless told otherwise.
• If you take a blood thinner (medication that affects the way your blood clots), talk to your healthcare provider.  Most of these need to be stopped prior to your scheduled appointment, but whether they recommend you stop taking the medication depends on the type of procedure you are having versus the reason why you are taking blood thinners.  Some examples of blood thinners include:

Questionnaire and Consent:

• You will need to complete a medical questionnaire and provide written, signed consent for your procedure.  If you feel that you cannot give informed consent, a substitute decision maker (i.e. family member, power of attorney, interpreter) who can understand must accompany you.

After your Procedure:

• Depending on the type of procedure you had done, you may need to stay at the hospital for up to 4 hours for recovery and observation.
• If you receive any sedation during your procedure, you will not be allowed to drive after your exam, so please have transportation home arranged beforehand.  We advise you have a responsible care partner (i.e. an adult friend or family member) to stay with you for 24 hours after your test to get you home safely, as well as help you contact your care team if there are any concerns.