It is very important patients have access to someone to answer their questions. Our discharge instructions have cell phone numbers for myself, Dr. Winchester, and our regional anesthesia fellow. The nurse circles the name of who did the procedure so they can call them first but they have access to all of us if they do not get an immediate answer. They also have the 1-800 number to the pump manufacturer which has 24 hour coverage for calls also. So we are basically on call 24/7 but the calls are minimal and I have done this since 2007. I have answered calls in many cities all across the country while traveling. It is not a burden. You must have some kind of on call program to be available for these patients. After almost 11 years, 30,000 blocks, and 10,000 catheters we have not had one single emergent call.
Sincerely,
Greg