Gastroscopy (Upper GI Endoscopy) Frequently Asked Questions and Preparation
Day of the Procedure Your Procedure has been arranged for: Date: Time: Please report to: Admitting Department ½ hour before procedure. Bring with you to the hospital: Care Card Photo Identification This completed form and Your patient questionnaire A person to interpret for you (for non-english speaking patients) Arrange for a responsible person to accompany you to your home after your discharge from hospital. Write the name and phone number of the person who will accompany you. Name: Telephone: Write the time you last had anything to eat or drink here Time: What is a Gastroscopy? Gastroscopy is an examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of the small bowel). Gastroscopy is a safe procedure and a very valuable tool for seeing what is going on in this part of your body. Specially trained doctors and nurses do the procedure. A gastroscope is a long, thin, flexible tube with a light. The tube is inserted through your mouth, down your esophagus and into your stomach. The doctor can see all around your upper intestinal tract. Instruments can be passed through the gastroscope to: Take tiny painless biopsies (samples of tissue), cell brushings, or fluid samples Remove polyps (tiny growths) or tiny swallowed objects Or to diagnose the following conditions: Long-standing heartburn Difficulty or pain when swallowing Stomach pain Suspected ulcers Anemia Gastroscopy also helps identify strictured or narrowed areas. The doctor may then dilate or stretch it out. 2 3
Does it hurt? Patients having an endoscopy are often given a sedative to help them relax and a local anesthetic is used to reduce any discomfort or pain. Some people may have a temporary sore throat after the procedure, but this soon passes. How long does an endoscopy take? How long will I be there? The procedure may last from 5 to 15 minutes. Afterwards if you have had sedation, you will be observed for 30 minutes or until you have met discharge criteria. What preparation is required? We ask that you do not to smoke, eat or drink, including water, after midnight the evening before the procedure. For the best possible results, your stomach must be completely empty. Do the following: Do not take over the counter anti acids, e.g., Tums or Malox on the day of the procedure. Notify you doctor if you are taking any blood thinner medication, e.g., Coumadin (warferin), Ticlid, Plavix, Aspirin (ASA or acetylsalicylic acid) Do not take Iron pills or multi vitamin containing iron Notify you doctor if you have any allergies to drugs or food Notify you doctor if you are on Diabetic medication Notify you doctor if you are on Cardiac medication If you are taking prescription medicine for any medical conditions: Bring the medication in the original bottles with you Do not take your morning dose until after the procedure is done* * Medical conditions like epilepsy, diabetes, cardiac or organ transplants need to be dealt with differently. If you have questions or concerns about your medication, talk with your doctor. How is the procedure done? We may give you an intravenous sedation to make you sleepy and relaxed. We may spray your throat with a local anesthetic to help control gagging. You are placed on your left side for the procedure. We place a plastic mouth guard between your teeth or gums to protect the gastroscope. Your doctor will ask you to open your mouth. As you do a thin tube will be gently guided down your throat into your stomach. Swallowing the tube is easy. It is thin and flexible. Because it is thin, it will not block your breathing. You are free to breathe normally. When the tube is in place, it doesn t hurt. 4 5
How will I feel during this procedure? If you have sedation, you may feel sleepy and relaxed. You will be able to breathe and swallow easily during the procedure. Lie still and relax. Don t try to talk and move around. You may feel slightly bloated and the need to burp. What happens after it is over? We keep you in the recovery area until most of the effects of the medication have worn off. If your throat is frozen, you should not eat, drink or smoke for at least two hours following your procedure. Start with a few sips of cold water until you can swallow without choking or coughing. You may feel bloated or gassy. If you do have gas, it can usually be relieved by burping. These symptoms should disappear by the next day. If you have sedation you will stay in the recovery area until most of the effects of the sedation have worn off. You should not travel alone by public transportation for the remainder of the day. You should not drink alcohol for 24 hours after sedation. You will get further instructions before you go home. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns after the procedure. Notify your doctor if you have developed any of the following: Fever Difficulty swallowing Chest, stomach or severe throat pain Serious discomfort When will I know my results? The doctor or nurse tells you about your procedure while you are in the recovery area. You may be followed up by your family physician or the physician doing the gastroscopy. After the Procedure You are discharged from the hospital when you have recovered from the sedation. Rest for the remainder of the day. You must go home with a responsible adult, even if you are traveling by taxi. You must not drive an automobile, or operate machinery, for 24 hours after sedation. (Do not drive to the hospital.) You should not make important decisions for 24 hours after sedation. 6 7
For more copies, go online at http://vch.eduhealth.ca or email phem@vch.ca and quote Catalogue No. FK.140.G219 Vancouver Coastal Health, February 2014 The information in this document is intended solely for the person to whom it was given by the health care team. www.vch.ca