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7. Emergencies

Emergencies

Signs of an emergent situation include increasing redness, swelling, and significant drainage from the incision site, a fever greater than 101.5, inability to tolerate food and fluids after surgery.  In rare cases, temporary breathing difficulties can occur in patients who have had a regional block or a pain catheter. If you find that you have any of these situations, it is advisable that you call 314-388-5550 anytime of the day or night when the office is closed so that emergent care can be initiated for you.  It is preferable if you need to return to the hospital that you return to Barnes Hospital for your emergent care.

Please follow these instructions for emergency calls.  During the business hours Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for Holidays, please call your surgeon’s nurse or medical assistant.  For emergent calls during office hours, call 314-514-3500 and ask that the nurse or medical assistant be paged.  After 4:30 p.m. or before 8 a.m. you may call the emergency orthopaedic exchange at 314-388-5550 or toll-free 1-866-582-8055. The operator on call will contact your doctor’s staff.