Colon Health

When colonoscopy is performed by poorly-trained endoscopists or endoscopists who don't perform the procedure often, precancerous or difficult-to-identify flat lesions can be missed. In some cases, patients are subjected to repeat colonoscopies, unnecessary surgeries, or suffer complications as a result of a poorly performed colonoscopy.

Our board-certified gastroenterologists are expert endoscopists who have undergone years of training, allowing them to provide high-quality endoscopic exams. Board certification ensures the gastroenterologist has met an exacting and rigorous standard of clinical judgment and expertise to provide quality healthcare. Our board-certified gastroenterologists exceed national standards in detecting precancerous (adenomatous) polyps and have a lower complication rate than the national average.

Screening for colonoscopies start at age 50, or earlier if you have a family history of polyps or colon cancer.

You will be at our facility about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Check-in time allows for verification and completion of paperwork, nurses to obtain a medical history and perform an assessment, start an intravenous lock for medication administration, and review instructions about the procedure. Some procedures last longer than the allotted time. This may delay your scheduled time.

You will receive medication to relax you and minimize any discomfort.

We make every effort for a family member to be with you during the admission process. Family members are not allowed in the procedure room. Family members are encouraged to wait in our waiting room or if they need to leave for any reason, we will call them after the procedure is over.

If any indications of serious illness are found, you and/or your family will be notified immediately following the procedure by the doctor. An RN will give you a preliminary report. You will have a scheduled follow-up appointment to review your procedure results.

You are responding “awake” immediately following the procedure. You are considered impaired because of the medication you receive to relax you for up to 12 hours, so no driving or operating any mechanical equipment for 12 hours.

Your prep kit can be picked up from a pharmacy of your choice.

Yes, you will receive medication to help you relax, you will need to have someone drive you home after the procedure.

Anytime you have a medical appointment you should have your insurance cards. This verifies the information we have in our information systems.

Anytime you have a medical appointment you should bring a list of medications, dosages, and scheduled time you take the medication.

Yes, the gastroenterologist needs to visualize the colon. If you have not completed the prep, a residue can be left in the bowel, decreasing visibility. The procedure then has to be discontinued and rescheduled.

No, the medications you are given for your procedure do not wear off for at least eight hours.