To properly prepare for your procedure, you may need to make certain changes to your daily medication routine. Some medications will need to be stopped or adjusted before your procedure:

• Iron tablets: Stop taking iron supplements seven days (one week) prior to your procedure.
• Diabetic medication: If you take insulin or diabetes pills, consult with your physician one week prior to your procedure about making any necessary changes in your daily regimen. Some adjustments may be needed. Please inform your physician that you will be on a clear liquid diet the day prior to and the day of the test. It is typically recommended that you do not take your diabetes pills or insulin on the morning of your test. Make sure you check your blood sugars often while taking the prep solution and during the morning of your test.
• Blood thinners: Some examples include Coumadin, Plavix, Heparin, Lovenox, Fragmin, Pradaxa, Zorpin and Xarelto. Check with your prescribing physician one week prior to the procedure to see if it is safe for you to continue taking a blood thinner. Your prescribing physician should give you directions on how to take them before and after your test. Do not stop taking any medications without speaking with your prescribing physician.
• You do not need to stop aspirin.
• If you have a central vein access port such as a portacath or infusaport, be advised, we are not able to access these devices. We will use a peripheral IV.

You can take all other medication the morning of your procedure with a small amount of water. You should take your medication at least three hours before your arrival time.

Colonoscopy patients will need to take several steps to ensure a successful procedure.

One Week Before:

• Review your medication list one week prior to your test. Contact your ordering doctor if you have any questions about medications listed.
• Make arrangements for a responsible adult to bring you home after your procedure.

Three Days Before:

• Stop eating seeds, popcorn, nuts, corn, whole grains, salads and other forms of roughage or fiber three days prior to your procedure.
• At least two days before your test, purchase bowel preparation materials.
• Two days before your procedure, an Endoscopy nurse will contact you.

Purchase the Following:

• Prescription:
  • Pick up cleansing prescription: 4 liters of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Solution
• Over the counter:
  • Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) tablets
  • Clear liquids allowed:
    • Water (tap, spring, sparkling or seltzer)
    • Soda (diet or regular; lemon, lime, ginger ale or club only)
    • Juice (apple, white grape and white cranberry only)
    • Coffee/Tea (no milk, cream or powdered creamer)
    • Gelatin/Jello (lemon or lime only)
    • Popsicles/Water Ice (lemon or lime only)
    • Clear broth (any flavor)
    • Gatorade (any except red or orange)

Follow steps listed on Bowel Preparation Instruction Worksheet

Before 10 am:

• You may have a light breakfast.
• Mix the Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Solution as directed on container and place in the refrigerator.

After 10 am:

• You may drink only clear liquids for lunch, dinner and until bedtime.
• List of clear liquids allowed:
  • Water: Tap, spring, sparkling, seltzer
  • Soda: Diet or regular, lemon, lime, ginger ale or club only
  • Juice: Apple, white grape, white cranberry only
  • Coffee or Tea: No milk, cream or powdered creamer
  • Gelatin/ Jello: Lemon or Lime only
  • Popsicles or Water Ice: Lemon or Lime only
  • Clear broth (any flavor)
  • Gatorade (No red or orange)

From 5 to 8:45 pm:

• Begin Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) and PEG solution.
• 5 pm: Take four Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) tablets with 8 oz. water

From 6 to 8:30 pm:

• Begin PEG solution at 6 pm. Drink 8 oz. every 15 minutes. We suggest drinking the solution quickly. Do not sip drink through a straw.

Follow all necessary steps listed on Bowel Preparation Instruction Worksheet

Resume drinking Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) solution four hours before your procedure. We suggest drinking the solution quickly (do not sip drink through a straw).

• 4 hours prior: Drink 8 oz. of PEG solution
• 3 ¾ hours prior: Drink 8 oz. of PEG solution
• 3 ½ hours prior: Drink 8 oz. of PEG solution
• 3 ¼ hours prior: Drink 8 oz. of PEG solution
• 3 hours prior: Drink 16 oz. of water

Bring with you:

• A list of all medications you are currently taking, along with the dosages, including both prescription and non-prescription (over the counter) medications.
• List of your allergies and/or reaction to medications.
• Name, address, phone and fax number of your primary care doctor and referring physician.
• Photo ID & insurance cards, and any out-of-pocket co-pays.
• Referrals and completed forms.

Any out of pocket co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles are expected on the day of service.

What to expect:

The test takes about 30 minutes, but plan to spend two to three hours at the center to allow time for your preparation, your test and recovery. Every effort will be made to keep your appointment at the scheduled time, but in medicine, unexpected delays and emergencies may occur and your wait time maybe prolonged. We give each patient the attention needed for their test.

Wear loose comfortable clothing. Leave your money and all other valuables, including jewelry, at home. Please remove all piercings.

For your safety, do not take anything by mouth (including chewing gum, mints, etc.) within three hours of your arrival time. You can brush your teeth.

Before the procedure, a nurse will do a medical assessment and escort you to your PACU bay where you will change into a hospital gown. Anesthesia will place an intravenous (IV) in your arm. You will receive sedation through the IV during the test. This procedure is performed safely in the ambulatory setting. However, if you develop the need for acute care, you will be transferred to Pennsylvania Hospital.

For questions regarding your procedure or to reschedule, please call 215-829-3561.

After the colonoscopy, you will return to your PACU bay where a nurse will watch you until most of the effects of the relaxing medication have worn off. You may have some cramping or bloating because gas is placed into your intestines during the test. This should go away after several hours.

Your physician will discuss the results of your procedure with you prior to discharge. You will receive written discharge instructions and a copy of your test will be sent to your referring doctor. For biopsy results, we will notify you via telephone or letter. Please allow for two to three weeks for notification.

To ensure your safe discharge home, your responsible party must escort you from the 4th Floor. We recommend that a responsible adult stay with you the rest of the day.

You should not return to work, drive a car, operate any machinery or power tools, drink any alcoholic beverages or make any important decisions until the following day.