What To Expect – Endoscopy Centers

GENERAL INFORMATION
You will be given your arrival time to the facility. This will allow the staff to have you ready in time for your procedure.

Although we have a list of your medications, it is important for you to bring all of your current prescription and over-the-counter vitamins/medications with you. This is to ensure that we have all accurate information regarding your medications.

Please take your regularly prescribed medications including the day of your procedure unless otherwise directed by your doctor. If you usually take them in the morning, please make sure you take them at least 2 hours prior to arrival time.

Follow specific directions for your blood thinner medications such as Plavix, Aspirin, Lovenox, Pradaxa, Eliquis, Xarelto, Coumadin, Brinlinta, etc… as instructed by your doctor.

If you take medications for diabetes, please follow the prep instructions given to you. If you have further questions reach out to your doctor performing the procedure.

Stop non-essential vitamins, iron and fiber supplement medication 7 days prior to your procedure.

No use of Phentermine or other weight loss drugs containing phentermine for 7days prior.

No use of recreational drugs for 2 weeks prior.

You will be asked to bring a responsible adult to accompany you home after the procedure is complete. This person will be asked to stay at the facility and will need to provide their name and phone number at check-in.

Women 50 years of age and under will be asked to provide a urine sample for pregnancy testing. If you have had a hysterectomy or tubal ligation, this will not be necessary.

UPON ARRIVAL (CHECK-IN)
If your insurance information has changed since your last clinic appointment, please provide current information to the receptionist. Please notify the receptionist if your name, address, phone number or any other information has changed.

You may be asked to sign the following documentation electronically:

• Business Consent
• Anesthesia Consent
• Procedure Consent

Examples of these forms may be found under the Patient Form tab found to the left.  After you are checked in, you will be asked to have a seat in the lobby until the pre-op nurse calls your name. (It is important that you NOT eat NOR drink anything while you are waiting; Do not have gum, candy or anything by mouth for 2 hours before your procedure).

PRE-OP
The nurse will call you into the pre-op area and your ride will be asked to wait in the lobby until your exam is complete. If you have special needs and require assistance in pre-op, please let the nurse know so that arrangements can be made.

The pre-op nurse will ask for all your medications and will review them with you. Updates will be made to the chart if needed. She/he will also need to know what medications you took the morning of the procedure and when you took them. Please follow directions.

The nurse will ask you about your prep and when you last ate and/or drank. It is very important you have nothing for 2 hours prior to your procedure. She/he will also review your medical history, allergies and reactions to food or medications.

She/he will review the process of the procedure and basic discharge instructions. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions regarding the procedure itself and what to expect after it is complete. An IV will be started and used for sedation during the procedure.

If you are Diabetic, please let the nurse know so that we can check your blood sugar before the procedure. You will have an opportunity to speak to the Nurse Anesthetist and your Physician before the procedure starts.

Please leave valuables with the driver.

PROCEDURE ROOM
You will be taken by stretcher to the Procedure Room, the procedure will be performed by your Physician. Sedation will be administered by a Registered Nurse or a Nurse Anesthetist who will monitor you throughout your procedure.

After your endoscopy is completed, you will be transported to the recovery area for care and observation until most of the effects of the medication have worn off.

RECOVERY AREA
At this time your driver or family member will be asked to join you if you agreed for them to do so. As you become more alert, your nurse will verify your ability to swallow and will offer you a drink if not contraindicated.

The physician will review the results of the procedure with you and answer any of your questions at this time. Your nurse will remove your IV and reinforce your specific written discharge instructions as ordered by your doctor.

After you get dressed and sign your discharge consent, one of our staff members will accompany you to your vehicle.

It is recommended that you refrain from driving, operating any heavy equipment or make any important decisions the day of your procedure, you should be able to resume your regular activities the day after. A member of our staff will call you the next day to follow-up.