OUR PROCEDURE

Before your procedure

Please read your instructions carefully to ensure that you are properly prepared for your endoscopy examination.

This is especially important for colonoscopy. Instructions for your specific procedure are available from the Endoscopy Centre and can also be downloaded from our website.

Important considerations for the following groups :

1. Diabetics on Insulin or oral diabetic medications.  Please inform us when you book if you have diabetes. We will give you specific instruction on your medications.
2.  Blood thinning agents.  If you are on any blood thinners medications ( eg Warfarin, Xarelto, Eliquis. Plavix Ticagrelor Asprin )please inform us on booking. These drugs increase the risks of bleeding and we will need to give you specific advice before your procedure
3. Other Medications. You may take blood pressure tablets or other heart medications with a sip of water only before 7am on the day of your procedure.

If you are not sure whether you should take certain medications please contact our office for advice.

On the day of Procedure

It is important to know that:

• The appointment time is the arrival time and is not your procedure time.
• You will need to arrive on time as there is some paperwork to be completed.
• Please understand that the doctors at Ivanhoe Endoscopy Centre aim to provide the highest quality of care and some cases may take longer than expected and may potentially result in a delay in the start of your procedure. Your understanding is appreciated.
• Please note that your procedure will be cancelled if you do not have anyone to accompany you home after the procedure. You cannot drive or use public transport on discharge
• Please make sure your valuables are handed to your family or friend.  We do not advise you to bring any valuables into the procedure room.  The Ivanhoe Endoscopy Centre does not take any responsibility for the damage or loss of any valuables including mobile phones.
• Please let us know in advance if an interpreter is required.

What to expect

Once the Ivanhoe Endoscopy team is ready, our nurses will lead you to the pre anaesthetic room where you will have a consultation with the anaesthetist and the specialist endoscopist. Please feel free to ask any questions regarding the procedure during the consultation. Your relative can accompany you for this consultation discussion.

You will then be asked to change into the appropriate theatre attire and be taken from the pre-anaesthetic room to the procedure room for your endoscopy procedure. The anaesthetist will then insert the small needle into your hand and administer an anaesthetic agent. This is normally called a light anaesthetic or intravenous sedation.You will be closely monitored during the procedure.

Post Procedure Process

Once the procedure has been completed, you will be taken to the recovery room where you will be closely observed by our nurses for about an hour.  Once the anaesthetics wear off, a light refreshment will be provided while the nurses make sure that you are ready for discharge. Your family will be contacted to notify them of your approximate discharge time. Your family must be present in  the centre for your discharge.

Prior to discharge, you will be informed of the findings of the endoscopy by our specialist, and you will be given a report of your procedure to give to your general practitioner (GP). A copy of any biopsy reports will be sent to your GP.

You will be advised to see your GP about a week after the procedure to discuss the results.

It is very important to know that you are not allowed to drive or travel by public transport after your discharge from the procedure.  You must have a responsible adult to take you home.  If you intend to travel by Taxi home you must be accompanied by a responsible adult (ie relative, friend). Please arrange an adult to stay with you on your discharge day and night.

You will normally be fit to return to work the next day. However, if your job is considered ‘risky’ you will be advised not to work for 24 hours to allow the anaesthetic to wear off.

You are also advised not to make any important decisions for 24 hours after anaesthetic. It is highly recommended that you have a friend or family member stay with you on the evening following your procedure.

You are advised not to travel domestically within 48 hours and overseas within 14 days  after a colonoscopy if polypectomy has been performed due to the risk of delay bleeding.

Contact the centre or your GP or attend an hospital emergency department if you experienced the following

• severe and persistent abdominal or chest pain
• fevers
• ongoing significant rectal bleeding
• nausea and vomiting
• breathing difficulty