Riverview Endoscopy

1. Beginning 5 days before the colonoscopy - stop iron tablets and aspirin.
2. Collect two sachets of PICOLAX or PICOPREP and one sachet of COLONLYTELY bowel preparation kit from your chemist. Please note the times on the box are different to those below.
3. 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, (none red, purple or green), soda or tonic water, black tea, black coffee, Bonox, Rehydration Solutions, and water. DO NOT HAVE: milk or milk products, pulp, pips or seeds, stock cubes, or green, red or purple food colouring. Do NOT drink ONLY water.
4. Have another responsible adult wih you at home the night before the test.
   

PLEASE NOTE:

• 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.
• 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 drinks often cause some nausea.
  
• It is important to drink lots of clear fluids before during and after taking PICOLAX or PICOPREP to prevent dehydration and to properly clear the bowel.

FOR MORNING APPOINTMENTS

1. 2.00pm the day before the procedure

Add the entire contents of ONE sachet of PICOLAX or PICOPREP to a glassful (120mL) of water.
Stir until stops bubbling.
Drink the mixture gradually but completely.
You must follow this with plenty of clear fluids (at least one Litre) to prevent dehydration and to flush out the bowel.

2. 6.00pm the day before the procedure

Add the entire contents of ONE sachet of PICOLAX or PICOPREP to a glassful (120mL) of water.
Stir until stops bubbling. Drink the mixture gradually but completely.
You must follow this with plenty of clear fluids (at least one Litre) to prevent dehydration and to flush out the bowel.

Make up the COLONLYTELY solution by mixing with water in a jug and then chill the mixture in the fridge.

3. Before going to bed on the evening before the procedure drink the 1 Litre of COLONLYTELY solution prepared earlier.

4. Overnight continue to drink clear fluids up until three (3) hours before your appointment.

FOR AFTERNOON APPOINTMENTS

1. 6.00pm the day before the procedure

Add the entire contents of ONE sachet of PICOLAX or PICOPREP to a glassful (120mL) of water.
Stir until stops bubbling.
Drink the mixture gradually but completely.
You must follow this with plenty of clear fluids (at least one Litre) to prevent dehydration and to flush out the bowel.

2. 10.00pm the day before the procedure

   Add the entire contents of ONE sachet of PICOLAX or PICOPREP to a glassful (120mL) of water.
   Stir until stops bubbling.
   Drink the mixture gradually but completely.
   You must follow this with plenty of clear fluids (at least one Litre) to prevent dehydration and to flush out the bowel.

   Make up the COLONLYTELY solution by mixing with water in a jug and then chill the mixture in the fridge.

3. 6.00am on the morning of the procedure drink the 1 Litre of COLONLYTELY solution prepared the previous night.

4. Continue to drink clear fluids up until three (3) hours before your appointment.

AT THE HOSPITAL

4. Report to the hospital (Day Surgery Area) at the time advised. Bring this sheet, your referral form, relevant X-Rays and your pre-admission form if you have not already delivered these, and your Medical Insurance and MEDICARE Details.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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 Bethesda Hospital for the Bed Fee. With some funds there is a $50 gap (similar at all hospitals) which must be paid on the day to Bethesda Hospital. If biopsies are taken you will also receive an account from the Pathologist.




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Presented by Dr Lindsay C MollisonRiverview Endoscopy Home Page

Disclaimer

Created 28 July 1997

Updated 30 January 2007


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