Endoscopy Clinic

Colonoscopy

Our health care team of Doctors,Registered Nurses (RN) and Clerks strive to provide the best possible patient /family centred care for your visit.
It has been decided after careful assessment of your medical history, a colonoscopy procedure is necessary for further evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of your condition.
If you agree to proceeding with the procedure the physician is recommending, you will be asked to sign a consent form.

What is a colonoscopy?

With the use of a colonoscope, your doctor is able to see inside of the rectum and large bowel (colon). This procedure is used to help diagnose cancer, polyps, inflammation of the bowel (crohns, colitis), causes of bleeding and abnormal x-rays. This procedure is safe and is associated with very little risk. You will be given an intravenous (IV) sedative and an analgesic (medication that make you sleepy and controls pain) prior to the procedure to keep you relaxed and comfortable.

What can I expect?

On arrival:
You will be asked to complete the registration process - provide health card and other personal information including the name and phone number of the contact person who will be accompanying you home after the procedure. If your Ontario Health Card is red and white you will be asked to provide additional photo identification. Photo ID is not required with a green Ontario Health Card.

How long will my family have to wait?

The entire visit usually takes 3 hours.
If your family is planning to wait in the hospital during your visit, they will be offered the option of a pager so they can wait in other areas of the hospital and will be paged when it is time to return to the Endoscopy Clinic.

After registering:

An ID arm band will be applied to your wrist and you will be shown to the locker/change area and asked to change into a hospital gown and housecoat and to lock-up your personal belongings in a locker. Please check the arm band when it is applied to confirm the information is correct.

Will I need to take all of my clothes off?

You will be instructed to leave your jewelry, bra (if applicable), underwear, shoes and socks on and remove everything else. Please secure valuables (cell phones, etc.) with your clothing in the locker. After changing you will be asked to have a seat in the waiting area inside the clinic.

What if I need to go the bathroom before the procedure?

Washrooms are located inside the clinic for your convenience either before or after the procedure. The location of the washroom will be identified when you are taken to the change area.

What medical information do I need to provide?

A Registered Nurse (RN) will introduce herself, take you to the interview area to assess and record a brief history. Tell her about the medications your are taking and why, and the last time you took the medications. Please include any non prescription or herbal medications/ supplements you take on a regular basis.

The RN will then assess your blood pressure, pulse and the oxygen level in your blood. An intravenous catheter (IV) will be inserted in your arm in preparation for the medications that will help relax you and keep you comfortable.

When can I ask questions?

Ask the RN to clarify any concerns, fears or anxieties you may have about the procedure. The doctor is also available to answer your questions before the procedure starts.

Procedure:

The RN assisting the physician with the procedure will introduce herself, escort you into the room and help you onto the stretcher.

She will ask you to remove your underwear and place it in the house coat pocket/or locker before taking you into the room.

The RN will attach cardiac monitoring electrodes to your chest area, a blood pressure cuff to your arm and an oxygen monitoring device to your finger to monitor you during the procedure.
The RN will help you to lie on your left side for the procedure. She will be coaching you and reassuring you throughout the procedure.
The IV medication will be given before the procedure begins.

How long will the procedure take?

The actual procedure usually takes about 20-30 minutes. However it may take longer and is dependent on the individual who is having the procedure.

The RN will be present during the procedure and will be coaching and reassuring you.

The physician will talk to you during the procedure and will share the findings when the procedure is over or after you have recovered.

When the procedure is over, the RN will transport you to the recovery area on the stretcher.

When will I be discharged?

The recovery period is usually about an hour. However it is individual and depends on how soon your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels return to your normal limits. A RN will be monitoring you on regular intervals and will update you.

Before you are discharged home, a RN will review the instructions to follow at home:

signs and symptoms of complications (“danger signals”),
what to do if there is a complication and
your follow-up plans.

Please ask the RN to address and questions or concerns you have before you are discharged.

Will my appointment be on time?

We respect your time and will do our best to stay on schedule. However due to the nature of the care we provide, the need for someone else to have an emergency procedure may delay your appointment.
We will keep you posted if your procedure is delayed.

If there is anything else we can do to make your stay more comfortable please let one of our team members know.

We welcome your feedback.

Please leave your comments in the ‘Comment Box’ in the waiting area and if you receive a Patient Satisfaction Survey in the mail, please complete and return it at your earliest convenience. Your feedback is important to us.

Brochures / Information (pdf):

Colonoscopy Preparation

Colonoscopy PEG Preparation - Morning Appointment
Colonoscopy PEG Preparation - Afternoon Appointment

Colonoscopy Pico Salix Preparation - Morning Appointment
Colonoscopy Pico Salix Preparation - Afternoon Appointment

Credit Valley Hospital Department

Endoscopy suite

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