Patient Support > Frequently Asked Questions
Brain Tumor Center & Neuroscience Institute:
How to arrange a consultation & what information is needed?
- To arrange a consultation with Dr. Kelly, Dr. Kassam or one of our other specialists, please call the BTC office (310-582-7450) or e-mail us with an inquiry (braintumor@stjohns.org).
- Please provide us with your most recent relevant medical records including diagnostic imaging (e.g., MRI, CT), blood tests and prior consultations.
- Your information can be faxed, emailed or mailed to our office as shown below. If some tests have not been done, our Clinical Coordinators Maribel Leyva and Maricela Sandoval can help you arrange these as well.
- Maribel Leyva Leyvam@jwci.org or Maricela Sandoval Sandovalm@jwci.org
Coordinators, Brain Tumor Center & Neuroscience Institute
Saint John's Health Center & John Wayne Canter Institute
Offices of Daniel F. Kelly, M.D. and Amin B. Kassam, M.D.
Saint John's Health Center
2200 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90404 - Phone: (310) 582-7450
Fax: (310) 582-7495
www.brain-tumor.org
| Daniel F. Kelly MD | Amin B. Kassam. MD |
Appointment instructions - please bring the following:
(Download this info)- Your most recent relevant imaging (e.g. MRI and/or CT scans) on CD or on film. (This is not essential if these studies were performed at Saint John’s Health Center)
- Your most recent relevant blood and/or tests. (This is not essential if your laboratory studies were performed at Saint John’s Health Center or UCLA Medical Center).
- Prior medical records and consultations from your referring physician, unless you have confirmation that they have already been faxed to (310) 582-7495.
- Your medical insurance card(s). If your insurance is not accepted by our medical group, or if we do not have written authorization on file, you will be asked to sign a waiver stating that you will be financially responsible should the insurance company deny our claim. If you have HMO Insurance: Please be sure to bring your “Letter of Authorization” from your HMO. If you are scheduled to see more than one doctor, you will need an authorization for both.
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Helpful Forms
- Appointment Instructions - What to Bring
New Patient Questionnaire
Record Release Form -
International and Out-of-State Patients
If living abroad or outside of California, we are happy to provide you with information about how to get your care here at the BTC and to provide you with information about local accommodations.
Directions to Saint John's Health Center and the BTC
Local Hotels in Santa Monica
Directions to Saint John’s Health Center and the BTC:
(Download this info)- Conveniently near the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and 20th Street in Santa Monica, the Brain Tumor Center is easily accessible from all points in Southern California. It is 15 miles from Los Angeles International Airport. Patient drop off/valet parking is located at the front of Saint John’s Health Center on Santa Monica Blvd. Valet parking (including handicapped parking) is $12.00. We do not validate for parking.
- Coming from North of Santa Monica – take 405 South to the 10 West
- Coming from South of Santa Monica – take 405 North to the 10 West
- Coming from East of Santa Monica – take the 10 West
- Take the 10 West to the Cloverfield Boulevard Exit
- Exit and turn RIGHT onto Cloverfield Blvd
- Take Cloverfield to Santa Monica Boulevard
- Turn LEFT onto Santa Monica Boulevard
- You will see Saint John’s Health Center on your right hand side.
- Pull into the 2nd Medical Center entrance, labeled “Denney Court”
- Park with the valet and proceed into the Medical Center lobby
- Take the West Elevators in the lobby to the 3rd floor.
- Proceed to the front desk area on your right.
Preparing for Surgery
(Download this info)Pre-operative tests, evaluations and recommendations:
You will need the following completed within 30 days of your surgery:
- Blood work:
Complete blood count (CBC), clotting studies (PT/PTT), electrolytes, metabolic screen. - Medical clearance (history and physical):
A note from a doctor stating that you are healthy enough to undergo surgery. - Electrocardiogram (ECG):
Needed if over 40 years old or a smoker. - Chest x-ray:
Needed if over 40 years old or a smoker. - Cardiology clearance & cardiac stress test:
For patients with heart problems, hypertension, diabetes or heavy smokers. - Pulmonary function tests:
For patients with pre-existing lung problems. - Neuro-Ophthalmology evaluation and formal visual field testing:
For patients with visual problems related to a brain or pituitary tumor. - Endocrinology and pituitary hormonal evaluation:
For patients with pituitary tumors or tumors affecting pituitary gland function. - Additional tests and clearances may be needed.
Before your craniotomy or endonasal surgery, you should:
Stop smoking for at least 10 days before surgery and minimize alcohol intake for at least 5 days before surgery.Please check with your doctors for instructions on taking medication prior to surgery. If you are under the care of a cardiologist and are taking heart medications (especially blood thinners such as Aspirin, Coumadin, or Plavix), speak to your cardiologist for specific pre-surgery instructions.
For pain issues prior to surgery, please take Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol. Do not take Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Advil (all of these drugs act as blood thinners) or other painkiller unless approved by Dr. Kelly and the surgery team.
Please avoid herbal medications containing Ginkgo Biloba, Vitamin E, Feverfew, Fish Oil, St. John’s Wort, Echinacea and high-dose garlic, cayenne, ginger, clove or turmeric pills (cooking with these ingredients is fine, just avoid these herbs in pill form). All of these herbs are blood thinners.
If you’re instructed to take medications on the day of your surgery, please take your medicine with a very small sip of water. Please bring any medications you’re currently taking to the hospital for your anesthesiologist to review.
Post-Operative Care
(Download this info)Post-operative care after brain tumor or pituitary tumor surgery:
(What to expect and follow-up appointments)After craniotomy
- Most patients will spend at least one night in the intensive care unit (ICU) and then typically 2 or 3 additional nights on a regular (non-ICU) ward.
- You will likely have some incisional pain and mild to moderate headache for which you will be given pain medication.
- You may have a CT scan or MRI before your discharge home.
- Your first follow-up appointment will be 2 - 3 weeks after surgery.
- Your 2nd follow-up appointment will typically be 2 - 3 months after surgery.
- Additional follow-up appointments with other specialists will be arranged as needed .
- (See also Discharge Instructions After Craniotomy)
After endonasal surgery
- Most patients will spend two nights on a regular (non-ICU) ward.
- You will typically have some incisional pain if you had an abdominal fat graft taken and mild to moderate headache for which you will be given pain medication; nasal congestion and some bloody nasal drainage is also common.
- You may have a CT scan or MRI before your discharge home.
- Your first follow-up appointment will be 2 - 3 weeks after surgery.
- Your second follow-up appointment will typically be 2 - 3 months after surgery.
- Additional follow-up appointments with other specialists will be arranged as needed.
- (See also Discharge Instructions After Endonasal Surgery)
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER CRANIOTOMY (Download)
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS AFTER ENDONASAL SURGERY (Download)
INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS:
If you are living outside the United States, we are happy to provide you with information about how to get your care here at the BTC and information about local accommodations in Santa Monica.
