The PSI Work Up
A person having a PSI takes part in a 3-phase process. This handout explains the first phase of this process, the PSI Work-Up. This phase makes sure that a PSI is right for you. The Work-Up phase involves two parts. The first part takes place before your Work-Up visit. The second part takes place during your Work-Up visit.
Part 1: Before your Work-Up Visit
The RN working with the radiation doctor will make sure that your insurance will cover the PSI treatment plan. This can take a few days. He or she will get in touch with you as soon as possible.
Part 2: The Day of your Work-Up Visit
Once your insurance coverage is verified, the nurse will call you to set up your Work-Up visit. This visit takes 2-4 hours to complete. It starts in the Radiation Oncology Clinic. The first thing that is done is that the size of your prostate gland is measured. The measurement of your prostate gland can be done by either CT or ultrasound exam. The size of the gland must be within a certain range. If the prostate gland is too large, the doctor may want to see if he or she can shrink it with the use of medication. The doctor will talk to you if this is the case.
If the size of the gland is okay, the next part of the work-up is done. The RN will meet with you. He or she will explain what happens on the day of the implant. You will be told what you need to do. You will also get a written handout. This handout is HFFY # 5731, How to Prepare for your Prostate Seed Implant. One of the resident doctors in the clinic will also meet with you. He or she will obtain your informed consent.
You will be given two consent forms to read. The first consent form is for the surgical procedure and the anesthesia. The second consent form is for the radiation therapy. You will need to sign both consents if you want to go ahead with the PSI. The doctor will witness your signatures. He or she will then give you a brief physical exam. This is a requirement for patients who are to get anesthesia.
The RN will ask you about the medicines you take every day. Be sure to bring an up to date list of the medicine you take. Sometimes changes need to be made to the medicines you take on a daily basis. This is because the PSI is a surgical procedure. The nurse may need to contact your other doctors about some of your medicines.
You will be sent to the lab to have some blood work drawn. You may be sent for a chest x-ray and also to the cardiac department for an EKG.
At the end of this visit you will go to the Anesthesia Screening Clinic. It is on the second floor. In this clinic an RN will meet with you to review your work-up results. You will be asked about any prior anesthesia you have had. The list of medicines you take on a daily basis will be reviewed. You may receive special instructions about which medicines to take on the morning of your implant.
Please call if you have any questions or concerns. The phone number for the Radiation Oncology Clinic is (608) 263-8500. If you live outside of the Madison area, call 1-800-323-8942. If the clinic is closed, your call will be transferred to our answering service. Ask to speak to the radiation doctor on call. The doctor will call you back.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 01/18/2013
Copyright © 01/18/2013 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#5508
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