Riverview Endoscopy
Riverview Endoscopy
COLONOSCOPY
For any enquiries or to change your HOLLYWOOD booking phone 08-9346-6757 or 08-9389-5333. [Please do not be concerned if you receive a holding message about CVS (cardiology) or CRS (respiratory) the number is correct].
Colonoscopy is a procedure used to examine or inspect the bowel and allows for a variety of interventions to be carried out through the colonoscope. These interventions may include taking small tissue samples (biopsies) and removal of polyps. An alternative method of examining the large bowel is barium enema. Colonoscopy has the advantage over barium enema of allowing tissue samples or biopsies to be taken.
How are you prepared? Prior to the colonoscopy you will need to collect the bowel preparation from your chemist (COLOCAP BALANCE capsules). The day before the test you will not be able to eat any solid food. You will also need to take laxatives (Colocap Balance capsules). The evening before, or the morning of, the procedure you will need to take COLOCAP BALANCE capsules which completely cleanses the colon. You must fast (no foods or fluids) completely for 3 hours before your admission time. (Please see over for complete instructions).
You should cease iron tablets and drugs to stop diarrhoea five days before the procedure. It is also desirable that you are not taking aspirin or N.S.A.I.Ds (arthritis tablets). If you are on these medications, you should discuss the matter with your doctor. You should also inform your doctor if you are taking blood thinning tablets, have heart valve disease or have a pacemaker implanted.
You should advise the nursing staff if you are sensitive (allergic) to any drug or other substance.
What do we do? The colonoscope is a long and highly flexible tube about the thickness of your index finger. It is inserted through the back passage (rectum) into the large intestine to allow inspection of the whole large bowel.
You are given a sedative through a vein in the arm before the procedure to make you more comfortable.
Safety and Risks. Colonoscopy is usually simple and safe. Most surveys report complications in only 1 in 1,000 examinations or less. These rare complications include bleeding and perforation of the bowel. Severe bleeding or perforation may require an operation.
Because cancer can develop from pre-existing polyps (benign wart-like growths), it is recommended that all polyps found at the time of colonoscopy be removed (polypectomy) by placing a wire snare around the base and applying an electric current. When interventions such as removal of polyps are carried out there is a slightly higher risk of perforation or bleeding from the site where the polyp has been removed.
Complications of sedation are uncommon. Rarely, however, in patients with severe heart or chest disease serious sedation reactions can occur. Patients with such problems must tell the doctor. Special precautions are taken to avoid complications including administering oxygen during the procedure and monitoring oxygen levels in the blood, and monitoring the pulse rate.
Furthermore, the colonoscope is a reusable piece of equipment which cannot be completely sterilised. It is cleaned by thorough washing and then disinfected by prolonged soaking in a powerful disinfectant. The possibility of infection being introduced during the procedure cannot be completely ruled out, but seems extremely rare. Occasionally the laxative preparations can cause clinically serious changes in salt and water concentrations in some people. Death is a remote possibility with any interventional procedure. If you wish to have full details of rare complications, you should indicate to your doctor before the procedure that you wish for all possible complications to be fully discussed.
Afterwards. The sedative pain-killer you are given before the procedure is very effective in reducing any discomfort. However, it may also affect your memory for some time afterwards. Even when the sedative appears to have worn off, you may find you are unable to recall details of your discussion with your doctor. For this reason a relative or friend should come with you if possible. YOU MUST NOT DRIVE OR OPERATE MACHINERY OR MAKE MAJOR DECISIONS FOR 12 HOURS AFTER THE COLONOSCOPY. You may have some wind pain after the pain killers wear off.
If you have any severe abdominal pain, bleeding from the back passage, fever, or other symptoms that cause you concern, you should contact the Hospital or your own Doctor.
For any enquiries or to change your HOLLYWOOD booking
phone 1800-174-837.
For any enquiries or to change your BETHESDA booking phone
08-9340-6380.
COLONOSCOPY
(COLOCAP BALANCE capsules)
NOTE: This preparation is not suitable for people with serious kidney problems
Date of Appointment:__________________________ Please arrive at: ______________For Procedure at: _______________
á Beginning 5 days before the colonoscopy - stop iron tablets and aspirin.
á Collect 1 bottle of COLOCAP BALANCE bowel preparation from your chemist. Please note the times on the box are different to those below.
á The day immediately prior to the test, clear fluids only are to be taken. - Examples of clear liquids are: clear soup, diluted fruit juice, cordials, clear jellies, low calorie soft drinks, (not red, purple or green), soda or tonic water, black tea, black coffee, Bonox, rehydration solutions and water. NO milk or milk products, NO solid food. DO NOT HAVE pulp, pips or seeds, stock cubes, or green, red or purple food colouring. DO NOT drink ONLY water.
á Have another responsible adult with you at home the night before the test.
PLEASE NOTE:
á The preparation will produce diarrhoea. This is important to clean the bowel. The bowel fluid should turn a clear, pale yellow with no solid material within it.
á If you develop troublesome abdominal/tummy/stomach pain or feel very unwell stop taking the preparation drinks and contact the Hospital for assistance and advice. However, the capsules may cause some nausea.
á It is important to drink lots of clear fluids before during and after taking COLOCAP BALANCE capsules to prevent dehydration and to properly clear the bowel.
á The capsules can be taken one at a time, they may also be easily swallowed as a ÔhandfulÕ of 5 capsules.
If your colonoscopy is scheduled for the morning.
The day before the procedure:
á 3.30pm Swallow the first 5 capsules. You should Ôwash downÕ these (and each lot of 5) capsules by drinking a large glass Ð at least 250ml Ð of clear, non-alcoholic liquid of your own preference (soft drink, water or clear juice).
á Take 5 more capsules every 15 minutes with at least 250ml more to drink until all the capsules have been taken.
á
You
should continue to drink
clear, non-alcoholic fluids after completing the capsule preparation.
Overnight you may continue to drink clear fluids up until three (3) hours before your procedure time.
If your colonoscopy is scheduled for the afternoon.
The day before the procedure:
á 4.30pm Swallow the first 5 capsules. You should Ôwash downÕ these (and each lot of 5) capsules by drinking a large glass Ð at least 250ml Ð of clear, non-alcoholic liquid of your own preference (soft drink, water or clear juice).
á Take 5 more capsules every 15 minutes with at least 250ml more to drink until you have taken 45 capsules in total.
On the day of your colonoscopy:
á 6.30am Take 5 more capsules and at least 250ml more to drink every 15 minutes until all the capsules are taken.
á At 10am on the morning of your colonoscopy, you may drink one more large glass of liquid, and you MUST NOT have anything further to eat or drink until the colonoscopy procedure is completed.
AT THE HOSPITAL
á Please post, fax or email your pre-admission form PRIOR TO YOUR ADMISSION. Report to the hospital Day Procedure Unit at the time advised. Bring your referral form, relevant X-Rays and your Medical Insurance and Medicare details.
á You will be in the hospital for about two and a half hours. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE YOURSELF HOME. You must not drive or operate machinery or make major decisions for 12 hours after the colonoscopy. The sedative painkiller you are given before the procedure is very effective in reducing any discomfort. However, it may also affect your memory for some time afterwards. Even when the sedative appears to have worn off, you may find you are unable to recall details of your discussion with the Gastroenterologist. For this reason, have a relative or friend come with you if possible.
á You may have some wind pain after the pain killers wear off. If you have any severe abdominal pain, bleeding from the back passage, fever, or other symptoms that cause you concern, you should contact the Hospital or your Medical Practitioner.
á
In
most instances health funds
accept Riverview Endoscopy accounts for direct no-gap billing. If not,
you
will be given an invoice for the doctor's services. Payment will be
your
responsibility, but the majority of the cost will be reimbursed by
Medicare and
your private health fund. If paying on the day a receipt will be issued
for
you to claim from your health fund and Medicare. A separate account is
issued
by the Hospital for the Bed Fee. With some funds there is a gap
(similar at all hospitals) which must be paid on the day to the
Hospital. An anaesthetist is usually present and also charges a fee. If
biopsies are taken you will also receive an account from the
Pathologist.
Created
29 May 2010
Updated
24 December 2010