Endoscopy Services

Your physician has scheduled you for an endoscopy procedure at Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital.  The goal of our staff is to make your visit to our facility as pleasant as possible.  To help us reach this goal, please read the following information and follow the instructions carefully.   It is important that you review the information no later than three days before your procedure.

Important Information
What to stop and when
The Day of Your Procedure
Arriving at Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital
Returning Home

Important Information

The hospital will not call you prior to your procedure.  You need to call (248) 937-3482 between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. the afternoon before your procedure to confirm your scheduled time and what time you should arrive.   If your procedure is scheduled for a Monday or is scheduled for the day after a holiday, please call the last business day PRIOR to your procedure (Monday through Friday).

In case of emergency, contact your doctor.

Our highly skilled staff uses state-of-the-art equipment to provide you with the excellent medical attention you deserve.  Since we are concerned with your physical and emotional well-being, we make every attempt to keep you comfortable and at ease.

It is extremely important you make arrangements for a responsible adult to accompany you to the hospital on the day of your procedure.  Also, plan to have a responsible adult stay overnight with you at your home on the day of the procedure.  If a responsible adult is not with you when you arrive at the hospital or cannot stay with you overnight, your procedure cannot be performed.  There are a few exceptions for procedures for which no sedation is given (esophageal manometry, capsule endoscopy and sometimes flexible sigmoidoscopy).  Your physician will tell you if you will not be receiving anesthesia and you can drive yourself.

What to stop and when

• Stop all herbal and/or diet medication now
• Marijuana and “street drugs” must be stopped 3 days before your procedure
• No alcoholic beverages for 48 hours prior to your procedure
• No tobacco products the night before or day of the procedure

Complications can occur when any of the above are mixed with anesthetic agents.

Prior to your procedure, follow the dietary instructions and do the preparations as instructed by your physician.

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight including water, juice, gum, hard candy or breath mints.

Medications

You cannot have anything liquid or solid by mouth except medication indicated below:

• Breathing, seizure, heart or blood pressure medications may be taken the morning of the procedure with a small sip of water
• DO NOT TAKE ANY OTHER MEDICINE THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE
• If you are diabetic, DO NOT take any pills or insulin the morning of your procedure.  DO bring your insulin with you
• If you use inhalers, bring them with you
• If you take any blood thinners (Coumadin, Aspirin, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, Heparin, Plavix, etc.) contact your doctor to see if and when they should be discontinued

The Day of Your Procedure

Perform your normal morning routines such as showering and brushing your teeth.

What to bring:

• Insurance cards
• Advance Directive/Durable Power of Attorney for healthcare if applicable
• A list of medications with dosages and how often you take them
• A list of your allergies
• If you usually wear contact lenses, please wear your glasses on the day of the procedure and remember to bring an eyeglass case
• Dress in loose fitting, comfortable clothing that can be folded and stored easily

What NOT to bring:

• Checkbook, money, credit cards, wallets or purses
• Jewelry, contact lenses, or any other valuables -  Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital cannot be responsible for your personal property
• All body piercings must be removed prior to your procedure

Arriving at Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital

Enter through the Garden entrance of the hospital and tell the security guard that you are here for a procedure.   You will be directed to take the elevator to the first floor.  Go left out of the elevator to the surgical reception desk.  In most cases, you will be given a history form to fill out at this time.  Preparations for surgery vary with each patient.  As a result, you may be taken out of the order in which you arrive.

Before the procedure:

• If you are having an esophageal manometry or capsule endoscopy procedure, you will be taken directly to the Endoscopy department and will not be required to change your clothing
• For all other Endoscopy procedures you will be taken to the Pre-Operative Care Unit
• Your temperature, pulse and blood pressure will be taken and you may be hooked up to a heart monitor
• You will change into a hospital gown
• An anesthesiologist (doctor) will discuss the type of anesthesia you will receive
• An anesthetist (nurse) and Endoscopy nurse will visit you to discuss your procedure and health history
• A pre-op nurse will start an IV and possibly take a blood and or urine sample if needed
• Dentures, glasses and other prosthesis will be removed
• Personal belongings will be stored under your cart or given to your driver

After the procedure:

• You will go to Phase I Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (Recovery Room) where you will be closely observed by Registered Nurses
• When sufficiently recovered, you will be transferred to Phase II PACU
• Your significant other will be brought back to visit with you
• You will be given light refreshments if allowed by your doctor
• A RN will review your post-endoscopy instructions prior to your discharge

Returning Home

After you have been discharged from the hospital, plan to spend time relaxing and resting.

• For 24 hours following your procedure, do not drive, use any power tools, drink any alcohol, or sign any legal documents if you have been given anesthesia.
• Resume your normal diet as tolerated unless otherwise instructed.
• If you are experiencing excessive pain, bleeding, or have temperature greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit orally, please call your physician immediately.
• For any concerns, questions or in case of an emergency, call your doctor or come to the Emergency Department at Huron Valley-Sinai.

A RN will call you the day after surgery if you wish to evaluate your progress.  At that time, you may feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

If you have any questions about these instructions, please call 248.937.3475 and leave your name, a number where you can be reached and we will get back to you within 24-48 hours during normal business hours.