FAQ’s
What is open Access Endoscopy?
What is a gastroscopy?
What is a colonoscopy?
What is a biopsy or a polypectomy?
What is ‘Open Access Endoscopy’
What are some of the possible signs of bowel cancer?
Can I arrange to see the specialist prior to the day of the procedure?
Are there any risks or complications with endoscopic procedures?
Will I be asleep during the procedure?
Tell me more about the bowel preparation
How do I obtain the sachets of bowel preparation?
Do I have to follow a special diet in preparation for the test?
Do I have to stop my blood thinners?
Are there any costs associated with the procedures?
How long will I be at the hospital?
Can I drive myself home?
Can I work the day before my colonoscopy?
Can I work the day before my gastroscopy?
Can I go back to work after my colonoscopy and gastroscopy?
When will I find out about the results?
Will my GP get copies of the test results?
Will you remind when I am due for my next procedure?
Who else in my family should have colonoscopy screening?
What other investigations can I have to screen for bowel cancer if I can’t have a colonoscopy?
What is open Access Endoscopy?
Our open access gastroscopy and colonoscopy service enables your GP to schedule you directly for your gastroscopy or colonoscopy, without the need to visit the specialist first. This eliminates the need to schedule time for an office visit, as well as the associated extra cost of the separate consultation.
What is a gastroscopy?
Gastroscopy information
What is a colonoscopy?
Colonoscopy information
What is a biopsy or a polypectomy?
A biopsy refers to the taking of a small tissue sample for pathological examination. A polypectomy refers to the removal of a growth. This too is send for pathological examination.
What is ‘Open Access Endoscopy’
Open Access Endoscopy allows your GP to directly book you for a gastroscopy and colonoscopy, thereby eliminating an unnecessary consultation. Your GP will usually discuss the indication, the procedure(s), alternative investigations, risks of the procedure(s), risks specific to you and the risks of not having the procedure(s) done. You meet the specialist and anaesthetist on the day of the procedure(s).
What are some of the possible signs of bowel cancer?
The following signs may be associated with other non-cancerous conditions.
- Bleeding from the bowel (bright red or dark in colour)
- A change in normal bowel habits (increased frequency, diarrhoea and/or constipation) that lasts more than a few days
- A strong and continuing need to move your bowels but with little stool, sometimes associated with pain
- The feeling that your bowel does not empty completely
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- Abdominal pain, or discomfort such as bloating or fullness that lasts more than a few days
- Unexplained weight loss, tiredness, weakness or breathlessness
- Anaemia/Low haemoglobin
If you have any of these symptoms please discuss them with your doctor and ask whether you should be referred for a colonoscopy.
Can I arrange to see the specialist prior to the day of the procedure?
Yes, all you have to do is ask your doctor to mention it in your referral letter, or you simply request a separate appointment when you speak with our staff.
Are there any risks or complications with endoscopic procedures?
Most patients experience no problems following a gastroscopy or colonoscopy, but rare complications can occur. Mr will discuss the risks and possible complications of a gastroscopy/colonoscopy prior to completing the consent form and your procedure.
Sore throat - Patients who underwent a gastroscopy occasionally notice a sore throat. Sucking on throat lozenges or gargling with salt water can help to ease any temporary discomfort.
Gas Bloating - You may experience burping following a gastroscopy and some abdominal cramping and flatulence following a colonoscopy. This is due to the air that was insufflated to distend the stomach or the bowel during your procedure.
Anaesthetic Risks - Older individuals, or those who have chronic health issues such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes, have a higher risk of anaesthetic complications compared to those who are young and fit.
Damage to teeth - All attempts are made to protect your teeth during your procedure but it is possible teeth or crowns may be damaged.
Aspiration - If you have not fasted properly or your stomach is not adequately emptied, there is a risk of passing stomach contents into the lungs. This can lead to aspiration pneumonia.
Bleeding - Individuals who are anti-coagulated, including those on Clopidogrel (Plavix, Iscover) or Warfarin (Coumadin), are at an increased risk of bleeding complications even if the medication was recently stopped.
Bleeding is rare following a gastroscopy and is usually associated with biopsies, polyp removal, or the encountered disease +/- intervention. The bleeding may become obvious when you vomit blood, when you pass very smelly, black bowel motions or when you become light-headed or pass out.
If polyps were removed during your colonoscopy there is a small risk of significant bleeding, which will be obvious, when you have a bowel motion. Bleeding can occur up to two weeks after polyp removal.
Bleeding may require a re-admission to the hospital, a repeat gastroscopy or colonoscopy, a blood transfusion, or rarely surgery.
Perforation - Very rarely, a hole is made in the stomach, oesophagus, or duodenum during a gastroscopy. This risk increases when a lesion was removed during your procedure. Perforation of the oesophagus, stomach or bowel is always serious and usually requires urgent surgery.
Rarely, a hole is made in the bowel during a colonoscopy. A bowel perforation is usually repaired by an operation that sometimes requires a temporary colostomy bag. Post-operative ICU care is frequently required and death, although rare, is a possibility.
Incomplete Colonoscopy – Occasionally, it may not be possible to pass the colonoscope through the complete length of the colon. This is usually due to inadequate bowel preparation, an excessively loopy bowel or the pathology encountered. In this event you may need to be scheduled for a repeat colonoscopy after taking additional bowel preparation or you may need a CT-scan (CT-Colonography). The specialist will make the necessary recommendations and arrangements.
Missed Pathology - Pathology may be missed during a gastroscopy or colonoscopy. While colonoscopy is the best test for excluding bowel cancer it is not perfect and not all polyps or cancers may be diagnosed.
Will I be asleep during the procedure?
Yes, an anaesthetist will administer intravenous sedation to keep you sedated throughout your procedure
Tell me more about the bowel preparation
Patients who are having a colonoscopy require a bowel preparation. This clears the bowel of stool and allows the doctor to see everything well and also makes the procedure safer to perform.
How do I obtain the sachets of bowel preparation?
We will mail you complementary bowel preparation and instructions
Do I have to follow a special diet in preparation for the test?
Yes, we will advise you on how to modify your diet.
Do I have to stop my blood thinners?
If you are taking Clopidogrel (Plavix, Iscover), or Warfarin (Coumadin) you will be given instructions on when to stop your medication
Are there any costs associated with the procedures?
Patients who have appropriate level private health insurance will have no out-of-pocket costs for Mr ’s services, and usually no out-of-pocket cost for the anaesthetist. We aim to use no gap anaesthetists but this may not always be possible. Accounts for your specialists will be submitted directly to your health fund.
How long will I be at the hospital?
You will be at the hospital for between 2 and 4 hours.
Can I drive myself home?
No, please be advised that you can not drive for 24 hours.
Can I work the day before my colonoscopy?
Yes, but you will have to start your bowel preparation at noon the day before your procedure. We recommended that you take the afternoon off. We will provide you with a Medical Certificate as needed.
Can I work the day before my gastroscopy?
Yes, there are no special preparations on the day before a gastroscopy
Can I go back to work after my colonoscopy and gastroscopy?
No, you will be under the effect of the intravenous sedation and should not go to work until the next morning
When will I find out about the results?
Before you go home Mr will briefly discuss the findings. The nursing staff will give you a follow-up appointment with Mr to further discuss the results of your tests and to receive advice on future screening.
Will my GP get copies of the test results?
Yes, copies of all reports are mailed to your doctor.
Will you remind when I am due for my next procedure?
Yes, during your follow-up appointment you will be asked whether you would like to be added to our reminder service for future procedures. Also, recommendations are mailed to your doctor
Who else in my family should have colonoscopy screening?
Current recommendations suggest that anyone age 50 and over should consider having a colonoscopy to screen for bowel cancer.
What other investigations can I have to screen for bowel cancer if I can’t have a colonoscopy?
Occasionally patients are not suitable to have a colonoscopy. In this case we will ask the patient to visit us for a consultation to discuss other options, including special x-rays and stool tests.
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