Riverview Endoscopy

Date of Appointment:______________________________
Time of Appointment:______________________________

1. Beginning 5 days before the test - stop iron tablets and aspirin.

2. Beginning two days before the test eat a low residue/low fibre diet. Avoid fruit and vegetables, red meat, high fibre breads, cakes or biscuits, and high fibre cereals.

3. After breakfast on the day before the test have only clear fluids such as water, cordial, strained fruit juice, clear broth, black tea or coffee - NO milk products, NO solid food.

Collect FLEET bowel preparation kit from your chemist (a prescription is required). Follow the instructions in the pack.

This fluid is not suitable for people with serious kidney problems.

For Morning Appointments

At 4 pm on the day before the colonoscopy drink 45ml of FLEET bowel preparation fluid mixed with half cup of water.
Drink plenty of clear fluids, ideally at least 1 litre.
Just before going to bed drink another 45 ml of FLEET with half cup of water.
Continue drinking plenty of clear fluids afterwards.
On the morning of the colonoscopy you may have clear fluids up until 3 hours before your appointment.

For Afternoon Appointments

At 6 pm on the day before the colonoscopy drink 45ml of FLEET bowel preparation fluid mixed with half cup of water.
Drink plenty of clear fluids, ideally at least 1 litre.
Overnight you may have clear fluids.
Have nothing to eat on the morning of the colonoscopy.

At 6 am on the morning of the colonoscopy drink 45ml of FLEET bowel preparation fluid mixed with half cup of water.
You should continue to drink plenty of clear fluids and may do so up until 3 hours before your appointment.

4. It is important to clean the bowel, but stop taking the preparation drink if you develop troublesome abdominal/tummy/stomach pain. Contact Riverview Endoscopy for assistance and advice.

5. Report to the hospital (Day Surgery Area) at the time advised, or 8.00 am (morning appointments) or 13.00 pm (afternoon appointments). Bring this sheet, your referral form and your pre-admission form if you have not already delivered these, and your Medical Insurance Details.

6. It is unsafe to drive yourself home. You must not drive or operate machinery or make major decisions for 12 hours after the test. 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 your doctor. For this reason a relative or friend should come with you if possible.

7. 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 Riverview Endoscopy.

8. Payment for the doctor's services will be requested after the procedure and a receipt then issued for you to claim from your health fund and Medicare. Bethesda Hospital will also issue an account for the Bed Fee, and if biopsies are taken you will also receive an account from the Pathologist.

Presented by Dr Lindsay C MollisonRiverview Endoscopy Home Page

Disclaimer

Created 28 July 1997

Updated 26 December 1998

Comments Welcomed.