Renal Biopsy – Patient Discharge Information

This leaflet contains information about complications following your ultrasound guided kidney biopsy, when to restart your medication and general information to help you recover at home when you are discharged from hospital.

Complications

  • You may have some bruising and mild discomfort around the puncture site. This is quite normal and should settle down within a couple of days.
  • Should there be any bleeding at all from the puncture site, swelling underneath or around the puncture site or severe abdominal pain you should contact the ward immediately or seek emergency help via 999 or the Emergency Department.
  • If your urine is blood stained or you are passing blood clots then please phone Ward 15 for advice or seek emergency help via 999 or the Emergency Department.
  • If you are having difficulty passing urine then please contact Ward 15 for advice or if severe symptoms seek emergency help via 999 or the Emergency Department.

Medication

If you are on blood-thinning medication, your doctor will inform you of the date you need to start taking them again. Examples of these medications include warfarin, apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, heparin, fondaparinux, tinzaparin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor, dipyridamole and aspirin.

Work/Leisure

You should rest for 48 hours after your procedure and you should avoid lifting heavy objects and straining, for the next 7 days.

Driving

You cannot drive for 24 hours after the procedure, or until you are confident that you are able to do an emergency stop.

Results

You will receive the results of your biopsy when you attend to see the consultant. This is usually 3-4 weeks after the procedure. You will be sent an outpatient appointment in the post.

Contact Numbers

Please note 24 hours after your discharge from hospital your GP is responsible for your care. However please feel free to ring Ward 15 or the Cardiology Day Case Unit if you have any questions or need general advice.


Ward 15: 01274 383237 – Open 24 hours, 7 days a week

People with hearing and speech difficulties

You can contact us using the Relay UK app. Textphone users will need to dial 18001 before the number to be contacted.

Accessible Information

If you need this information in another format or language, please ask a member of staff.

Smoking

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke-free organisation. You are not permitted to smoke or use e-cigarettes in any of the hospital buildings or grounds.