UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Cardiac Arrhythmia Center - Methodist Plaza

• Please bring all current medications in their prescription bottles to your appointments so we can verify what you are taking and how frequently.
• At least 3 days before you finish your heart medicine, call your pharmacy (not us) and have them fax a refill request form to us. We will then approve this request and fax it back to your pharmacy, or discuss the request with your pharmacist. The pharmacy will then contact you. Due to phone call volumes, please contact us for refills only when you use a mail-order pharmacy.
• You must be seen by one of our providers at least annually if we prescribe medicine for you.
• All requests for drug samples must be discussed in a scheduled appointment with the cardiologist, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. We are not a licensed pharmacy.
• Some of the medications used in nuclear testing cannot be used later if you miss your appointment. Please provide at least 12 hours notice to us if you will be unable to keep your diagnostic testing appointment.

• Your initial consultation with be scheduled with one of our cardiologists. Subsequent follow-up visits may be with the cardiologist and/or coordinated with our physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
• When a follow-up visit is with the physician assistant or nurse practitioner, your cardiologist will work with them to follow their plan of care to meet your needs. Your physician will see you periodically as well.

• If you have an immediate life-threatening emergency, please seek care at the nearest emergency room or dial 911.
• If you have questions or concerns, please call us. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are committed to providing cardiology services as a team effort: cardiologist, nurse practitioners, physician assistant, nurses, schedulers, technicians, and you.
• During office hours, depending on your needs, if you call with questions, our schedulers may ask our office nurses to contact you.
• If our office nurses can not answer your questions or concerns they will work with your cardiology provider or partner to assist you.

• Your medical records are confidential and require your written consent in order to be released from our office except when requested by your insurance company. The UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) also requires this written release for all information requested over the telephone. This applies to any requests for medical information except your own or a dependent under 18 years of age.
• Please request all copies in advance so that we can meet your needs in a timely manner.

• We participate with most major insurance companies. Please check with your insurer as they may require preauthorization prior to provision of services.
• Co-payments are collected at each office visit if required by your insurance plan. If you have a substantial account balance, payment may be required before additional services are rendered.
• We accept cash, personal checks, VISA, Discover, and MasterCard.
• If you have any questions regarding your account, please call UnityPoint Clinic's Billing Customer Service line at 1-888-343-4168.

Helps reduce the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation, which is a condition that affects the heart's ability to pump blood normally.

What is a Watchman procedure?
The Watchman procedure is a heart procedure that is offered to patients with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem, who are unable to take blood thinning medications. The device is placed inside the heart by placing a catheter or tube in a large vein in the upper leg. Then, the device is guided into the heart and the Watchman is placed in the left upper chamber of the heart, called the atrium. It covers an area inside called the appendage and resembles an ear shaped sac. The Watchman fits into this sac and closes it off from the rest of the heart.

Why would someone need a Watchman procedure?
In the event of serious bleeding events while taking blood thinners, patients can decrease their risk of bleeding. Certain lifestyles or health conditions can place people at a higher bleeding risk from falls or injuries.

What warning signs should someone be aware of to let them know they should seek care? Frequent bleeding requiring medical attention. Frequent falls or being prone to falls.

How does the UnityPoint Health – Des Moines care and approach to this procedure differ from others? Our physicians are specially trained in placing catheters or tubes inside the heart to assess for rhythm disorders.