300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115 (617) 355-6000 Clinical Services (Preoperative Clinic): Special Considerations Herbal remedies If your child is taking (or may have recently taken) any herbal therapy or natural remedy (such as St. John's Wort) or any weight-reduction medications, please notify the nurse practitioner or physician during your preoperative appointment. Some of these herbs and medications can interact with drugs used during anesthesia. Piercings Also, if your child has any body piercing that cannot be seen, please let the nurse practitioners and physicians know. All metallic objects must be removed prior to surgery and anesthesia. Antibiotic resistant organisms & communicable diseases In order to protect your child and other patients, please notify the Pre-Op Clinic prior to your appointment if your child needs special precautions for antibiotic resistant organisms (an infection that does not go away with antibiotics). We would also like to be notified if your child either has or has been exposed to a communicable disease. Please call 617-355-3773 and ask to speak to a nurse to discuss these situations. The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional. Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.