Riverview Endoscopy

Given® Capsule Endoscopy Instructions

Your doctor has determined that as part of your medical evaluation you should undergo a test known as Capsule Endoscopy. This procedure involves ingesting a small (the size of a large vitamin pill) Given® Imaging M2A® Capsule which will pass naturally through your digestive system while taking pictures of the intestine. The images are transmitted to a sensor array which is placed on your abdomen. These sensors are attached to the walkman-like Given® DataRecorder® that is worn around your waist and which will save all the images. After 8 hours the Given® DataRecorder® will be taken off and returned to your physician for processing. The M2A® Capsule is disposable and will be excreted naturally in your bowel movement. In the rare case that it will not be excreted naturally, it will have to be removed endoscopicaly or surgically.

In order to get the most accurate information from this test, you will need to follow the directions listed below:

1. Cease iron tablets, 7 days before the test.
2. At 8.00 p.m. before the Capsule Endoscopy take 1 sachet of PICOLAX with plenty of water over the next 4 hours.
3. Do not eat or drink after midnight prior to undergoing your Capsule Endoscopy.
4. For males: On the day prior to the Capsule Endoscopy, shave your abdomen 6 inches above and below the navel. If it is difficult for you to shave your abdomen, please contact the hospital to arrange to come in earlier to have this done.
5. Please arrive at Bethesda Hospital at the prescribed time for your Capsule Endoscopy.
6. At the hospital, you will go through a pre-procedure interview. During this interview you should be informed that Capsule Endoscopy is associated with a small chance of intestinal obstruction. Also, you will be told that the examination may be incomplete due to technical difficulties or poor preparation or slow bowel function, and that no test, including capsule endoscopy can offer 100% accuracy for diagnosing all or any complaint(s). You will be checked in and asked to give your informed consent.
7. The Sensor Array will be applied to your abdomen with adhesive pads and will be connected to the Data Recorder® which you will wear in a belt around your waist. After that you will be instructed to ingest the M2A® Capsule.
8. After ingesting the M2A® Capsule, do not eat or drink for at least 2 hours. After four hours you may have a light snack. After completion of the study, you may return to your normal diet. Contact the hospital immediately if you have any abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting anytime after ingesting the M2A® Capsule.
9. After ingesting the M2A® Capsule and until it is excreted, you should not be near any source of powerful electromagnetic fields such as one created near an MRI device or amateur (ham) radio.
10. Occasionally, some images may be lost due to radio interference (e.g. from amateur radio transmitter, MRI, etc). On rare occasions this may result in the need to repeat the capsule procedure. In such a case, the Doctor will advise you to stay within the premises of the clinic for the duration of the capsule procedure to prevent this problem from recurring.
11. The Capsule Endoscopy will last 8 hours. During the Capsule Endoscopy try to avoid any strenuous physical activity. Do not bend or stoop during the Capsule Endoscopy. In addition, you should not remove the belt at any time during this period. Since the DataRecorder® is actually a small computer, it should be treated with utmost care and protection. Avoid sudden movements and banging of the DataRecorder®.
12. Every 15 minutes during the Capsule Endoscopy you will need to verify that the small green/blue light on top of the recorder is blinking. If for some reason it stops, please record the time and contact the hospital. Also record the time and the nature of any event such as eating, drinking and unusual sensations. Return these notes to your physician at the time you return the equipment.
13. At the end of 8 hours, you must return to the hospital for the DataRecorder®, RecorderBelt®, and Sensor Array® to be removed. Do not pull the wires of the Sensors or attempt to remove any part of the apparatus yourself. They will be removed at Bethesda Hospital.
14. The DataRecorder® holds the images of your examination. Handle the DataRecorder®, RecorderBelt®, SensorArray® and Given® Recorder Battery Pack carefully. Do not expose them to shock, vibration or direct sunlight, which may result in loss of information.
15. If you cannot positively verify the excretion of the M2A® Capsule from your body, and you develop unexplained post procedure abdominal pain, vomiting or other symptoms of obstruction, contact your physician for evaluation and possible abdominal X-ray examination.
16. Undergoing an MRI while the capsule is inside your body may result in serious damage to your intestinal tract or abdominal cavity. If you cannot positively verify the excretion of the M2A® Capsule from your body, you should contact your physician for evaluation and possible abdominal X-ray before undergoing an MRI examination.

Patient Name:		ID No:
Time	Event (eating, drinking and unusual sensations)
____: _____	Ingestion
____: _____
____: _____
____: _____
____: _____
____: _____
____: _____
____: _____
____: _____
____: _____
____: _____
____: _____	Excretion

Who to call in case of need:	Time to return to facility:
	Special Instructions:

Presented by Dr Lindsay C MollisonRiverview Endoscopy Home Page

Disclaimer

Created 14 November 2001

Updated 14 November 2001

Comments Welcomed.