An appointment for your Colonoscopy has been

Please telephone the Endoscopy Department on (01962) 825058 if this is not convenient.

The procedure you will be having is called a Colonoscopy. This is an examination of your large bowel (colon). It will be performed using a flexible endoscope whilst you are sedated. The investigation will be carried out by a trained doctor. 

This booklet has been written to enable you to make an informed decision in relation to consenting to the investigation. At the back of this booklet is your consent form, once you have read and understood all the information, including the possibility of complications, and you agree to undergo the investigation, please sign and date the consent form and send it to the Endoscopy Department, at least one week prior to your appointment. You will notice that the consent form is carbonised, allowing you to keep a copy for your records, please fill it in while it is still attached to this booklet.

The consent form is a legal document, therefore if there is anything you do not understand or wish to discuss further do not sign the form, but please still indicate your decision by ticking the appropriate box on the consent form and returning the top copy to the Endoscopy Department at least one week prior to your appointment.

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please notify the Department as soon as possible, this will enable the staff to give your appointment to someone else and they will be able to arrange another date and time for you. Please bring this booklet with you when you attend.

There are many reasons for this investigation including:- anemia, bleeding from the back passage (Rectum), diagnosing the extent of some inflammatory bowel diseases, and assessing the clinical importance of abnormalities found on X-Ray.

During the investigation the Doctor may need to take some samples from the lining of your colon for analysis, this is painless.. A video recording or photographs can be taken for record and documentary purposes. 

Sometimes the Endoscopist may encounter a problem which can be effectively treated at the same time. In such cases, unless you indicate otherwise, discretion to treat the problem will be assumed.

The large bowel, which normally contains faeces, must be very clean to ensure safe, clear views. You will need to be on a low fibre diet, considerably increase your fluid intake for two days prior to the examination. A diet sheet is included with this booklet. If you are on iron tablets or stool bulking agents (e.g. Fybogel, Regulan, Proctofibe) you must stop these upon receipt of this booklet. Twenty-four hours before your examination you should take clear fluids only (no food) e.g. glucose drinks, Bovril, tea and coffee with sugar.

On the day prior to the examination you will need to take the laxative sent to you to clear out the bowel, clear instructions will be sent with this, if you have any queries do not hesitate to contact the Endoscopy Unit and someone will assist you. 

If someone is going to collect you, the nurse will need to know if they are planning to stay with you or if they are planning to go into town, back to work or home. The nurse will need to be given this person's telephone number so that she can contact them when you are ready to go home.

You will be shown to your special trolley and, once you have undressed and put on a hospital gown, your blood pressure and heart rate will be recorded, and should you suffer from breathing problems, a recording of your oxygen levels will be taken. If you are diabetic, your blood glucose level will be recorded. The nurse is very aware that you may be worried and anxious so do not be afraid to ask any questions, the staff will want you to be as relaxed as possible for the investigation and will not mind answering any questions. Prior to your investigation, you will see the Gastronenterology Specialist Nurse Practitioner who is an experienced and senior nurse, she will need to ask you some questions regarding your medical condition and any surgery or illness you have had in the past, to ensure that you are fit to undergo the investigation. She will also explain the procedure to you. If you have not already done so, you will be asked to sign your consent form at this point. She will insert a small needle into the back of your hand, which will be used to administer the sedation. Prior to the investigation you will be given the opportunity to ask the Doctor any further questions.

PLEASE NOTE: If you decide to have sedation you will not be allowed to drive, operate heavy machinery or sign any legal documents for 24 hours following the procedure.

The Endoscopy involves manoeuvring the videoscope around the length of your large bowel (colon). There are some bends that naturally occur in the bowel and regrettably negotiating those may be uncomfortable for a short period of time.

RISKS

The major ones being bleeding from and perforation of the bowel wall. Disturbances of your heart rate and breathing can also occur. Should any of these occur you will be admitted into hospital. You might require surgery to repair any damage. 

You will be allowed to rest for as long as it is necessary. Your blood pressure and heart rate will be recorded and, if you are diabetic, you blood glucose will be monitored. Should you have underlying breathing difficulties or if you oxygen levels were low during the procedure, we will continue to monitor your breathing. Once you have recovered from the initial effects of the sedation (which normally takes 30 - 60 minutes), you will be offered a hot drink and a snack.

Before you leave the Department, the nurse or doctor will explain the diagnosis and any medication or further investigations required. She will also let you know if the doctor wishes to see you again in the Out-Patient Department. Due to the sedation having an amnesic effect, it is a good idea to have a member of your family or a friend with you when you are given this information. 

Because you have had sedation, the drug remains in your blood system four about 24 hours and you may feel drowsy later on, with intermittent lapses of memory. If you live alone, try and arrange for someone to stay with you or, if possible, arrange to stay with your family or a friend for at least 12 hours, but preferably for 24 hours. 

If the person collecting you has gone home, the nursing staff will telephone them when you are ready for discharge. 

Name: ___________________________________ 

Telephone No:___________________________

FOODS ALLOWED

Yorkshire Pudding, pancakes. Bread sauce. Clear and pureed soups. Potato (no skins). Potato boiled and mashed. Tomato plup (no pips or skins). Fruit juices, tomato juice (if tolerated). Pastry made with white flour. White bread, white flour, Cornflakes, Rice Krispies, icing. Smooth biscuits, e.g. Marie Osborne. Spaghetti and pasta. White rice. Crisps.

Rosehip syrup, Ribena. Sugar or glucose in small amounts. Boiled sweets, toffees. Plain or milk chocolate. Shortcake, cream crackers. Water biscuits. Sponge cake, madeira cake. Ice cream, iced lollies. Plain or flavoured yoghurt. Jelly jam, jelly marmalade. Honey, syrup. Tea, coffee and fizzy drinks. 

FOODS TO BE AVOIDED

To enable a more effective examination, we would be grateful if you would take a clear fluid diet only for the period of time stated on the attached appointment letter.

FLUIDS ALLOWED

IN ADDITION 

- You may suck clear boiled sweets and clear mints

- You may add sugar or glucose to your drinks

w Please do not bring valuables to the Hospital. The Hospital cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage to personal property during your time on these premises.

w Because you are having sedation, arrange for someone to collect you.

w If you are unable to keep your appointment please notify the Endoscopy Department as soon as possible.

w Have you signed your consent form or have you indicated by ticking the appropriate box that you wish to discuss the investigation further? Remember to send it back to the Endoscopy Department at least one week before your appointment.