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You had a procedure called fine-needle thyroid biopsy. This biopsy was done to assess a nodule or cyst in your thyroid gland or enlargement of the thyroid. During the biopsy, a very thin needle is inserted through the skin into the gland. The needle is used to remove a small amount of tissue from the gland. (This may be done more than one time to be sure to get cells from all parts of the nodule.) Or the needle is used to drain fluid from a cyst. The tissue or fluid is then studied in a lab.

Blood thinners, or anticoagulants, are medicines that help prevent blood clots from forming. Your doctor will help you decide which medicine is best for you. Read on to learn more about safely taking blood thinners.

When you first get your tracheostomy (trach), you may have some trouble eating and swallowing. Most patients are able to return to their usual eating habits after healing from the surgery is complete and swallowing has improved. Here are some things to keep in mind when eating with a trach tube.

A catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is an infection of the urinary system. CAUTI is caused by germs that get into the urinary tract when a urinary catheter is used. This is a tube that's placed into the bladder to drain urine.

People on breathing machines, called ventilators, have an increased risk of developing pneumonia. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is caused by germs that enter the lungs when a person is on a breathing machine.

Telling your healthcare provider (HCP) about yourself will help improve your care. And ask questions when you don’t understand something, or just want to know more. Don’t be afraid to speak up! Good communication with your HCP helps you get the most out of your health care.

It’s normal to feel worried or even a little scared if you are scheduled for surgery. Know that your doctors will do all they can to take good care of you. As a patient, you can help your health care team keep you safe. Being involved means speaking up, asking questions, and knowing your role.

After having a baby, your body may be very tired and it can take time to recover. You may stay in the hospital or birth center from 1 to 4 days. In some cases, you may be able to go home the same day.

If your child's ear is missing or not developed, he or she may need to have auricular reconstruction. This is when a framework for the outer ear is made from cartilage.