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How long do I have to wait in the recovery room?

Once you are in the recovery room you will be required to wait there until the doctor says it is safe for you to leave. In general most people must wait for at least twenty minutes. There is no upper limit on the time you must wait. You will only be allowed to leave once the Medical Staff says it is safe for you to do so.

What if I get hungry or thirsty?

After the procedure is complete there will be coffee, tea, water, and cookies provided at your request. Many returning patients fast before their procedure and need food energy to recover.

Driving & Getting Home From The Clinic

If possible, bring someone to drive you home. This is very important if you would like to receive treatment on the first visit. Some of the medications applied during diagnosis or treatment may leave you in a condition that makes travel difficult.

If your treatment will cause you to be impaired you must bring a driver with your or use an alternate mode of transportation that does not involve you operating or driving a motor vehicle.

What Is Impaired Driving?

The definition of Impaired Driving provided by the Ontario Ministry Of Transportation is driving when alcohol or drugs affect your ability. Impaired Driving is a crime and you can be convicted under the Criminal Code of Canada.

What can cause a state of impairment?

In general drugs and alcohol can cause a state of impairment. Fatigue and stress can also contribute to a state of impairment. Certain medical treatments and medications can cause a state of impairment. If you plan on driving, ask the doctor if your treatment will cause a state of impairment and do not consume any alcohol.

How will I know if I will be impaired?

Ask your doctor about the side effects of any medication that is administered during treatment or that you are currently taking.

Read the information on the packaging of any medication you are taking. Discuss the side effects of the medication with your doctor.

If you drink, ask your doctor about any side effects that may arise from combinations of drugs and or alcohol.

Evaluate your own condition. If you are not feeling well, tell your doctor immediately. If you are unable to drive, seek an alternate form of transportation.

Alcohol and drugs contribute to a state of impairment. If you have been consuming alcohol and or drugs do not attempt to operate a motor vehicle.

Fatigue and stress also contribute to a state of impairment. If you are under stress, tired, fatigued, have not slept, or have been fasting, you may be considered to be impaired.

The legal, public, and personal safety risks involved in impaired driving are very serious. If there is any doubt as to your ability to drive, do not attempt to operate a motor vehicle.

What are the legal consequences of impaired driving?

Ontario has some of the toughest impaired driving laws in North America. If you are caught driving while impaired you may face immediate license suspension, fines, mandatory alcohol education and treatment, vehicle impoundment, and the ignition interlock program.

What should I do if my doctor tells me I can’t drive home?

If your doctor tells you that you cannot drive or operate a motor vehicle after your procedure, the doctor’s word is final. You will be verbally warned not to drive and you will be informed that you must find an alternate form of transportation to get home.

If the doctor has warned you that you will be impaired after treatment, and if you have no alternate means of transportation, inform your doctor. Your treatment will be postponed until you are able to arrange for a driver or alternate means of transportation.

Clinic staff may attempt to help you secure transportation home in the case that you are not safe to drive home. The doctor will not allow you to drive until you are safe to do so.

Can’t I just sit in my car until the effects wear off?

The Criminal Code defines impaired driving offences in relation to having “care and control” of a motor vehicle, which is a much broader concept than driving. The Criminal Code goes so far as to deem a person to be in care and control of a vehicle if they are found to be occupying the driver’s seat.

This means for example, you could be convicted of impaired driving if a police officer found you sleeping in the driver’s seat of a parked car, even if you had not driven the vehicle or even placed the vehicle into the drive gear.

If any clinic staff member or doctor sees you attempting to drive or operate a motor vehicle while you are impaired, the police will be called and you will be charged with impaired driving. The doctor and all clinic staff who are witness to this event will cooperate with the police.

Impaired driving is illegal and dangerous and will not be tolerated by the Rothbart Centre For Pain Care.

Continue reading › Clinic Do’s and Don’ts

This website contains links to third party websites. The views and opinions expressed therein are those of the individual speakers, and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the Rothbart Centre For Pain Care or any of its respective affiliates and employees.

Third party websites may make references to medications, medical procedures, and other medical or non-medical information. We cannot verify the accuracy of any information on third party websites. The information on third party websites may be false or harmful. Medical information on our website or any third party website should not be relied upon in lieu of actual medical advice from a real physician. 

If you have any specific medical problems, you should see your physician. Please do not rely upon the general advice on our website or any other website, as a replacement or substitute for actual medical advice from your physician. Please see your physician if you have any medical questions or concerns.

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