Selkirk Regional Health Centre Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that is used to examine your digestive system. This is done with a tiny camera on the end of a long flexible tube. An upper endoscopy (or EGD), examines the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine. A lower endoscopy (or colonoscopy), examines the large intestine. Your doctor may schedule you for one or both of these procedures.

For more information on colonoscopy procedures, please visit mycolonoscopy.ca

Please read and follow the instructions provided. Not following them carefully may result in cancellation of your procedure, not being able to see polyps or cancers, or increase your risk of complications.

Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic (PAC)

Our pre-operative assessment clinic staff will contact you if you require a pre-operative clinic visit. If so, we will arrange an in-person or phone appointment with a registered nurse who will interview you about your health status, confirm your medications, and answer any questions you may have. They will also provide you with important information and instructions about your upcoming procedure. You are welcome to invite a support person to attend this meeting with you.

Preparing for your visit

Please keep in mind:

• You may be required to stop eating or drinking for a period of time prior to your procedure. Please follow instructions from your surgeon or the pre-operative assessment clinic staff.
• Only bring items you need for your visit.
• Remove all piercings/jewelry.
• Leave all valuables at home. We are not responsible for the loss or damage of personal items.
• Ensure you have arranged for someone to pick you up as you will not be able to drive for 24 hours following your surgery.
• All health care facilities are scent-free. Refrain from using scented products on the day of your procedure.

Experiencing cold/flu-like symptoms

In the days leading up to your surgery, if you are experiencing the cold/flu symptoms please contact your physician or surgeon’s office.

On the day of your surgery, if you are experiencing the cold/flu symptoms please contact the Day Surgery Department at 204-785-7405.

What to bring

Please register at the Day Surgery desk on the second floor.

• Your Manitoba Health Insurance card
• Your home care record (if you are a homecare client) 
• A list of allergies you know you have and your reactions 
• A list of medications you are taking including prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbs and be sure to record the prescribed dosage (i.e. drug name, strength and amount to be taken every day). Please do not bring your own medications unless advised to by our health care staff.
• If you wear dentures, glasses, or hearing aids, please bring a case for them
• Label personal items like your wheelchair, cane or walker

When you arrive, you will be provided with a patient belonging bag to place your clothing and personal items in and it will be secured in a locker during your procedure.

Check In/Admitting

Check in for your procedure is at the Day Surgery desk on the second floor. Please note that for appointments earlier than 7:30 AM, you will need to enter through the Emergency Department doors.

Front visitor parking is available for a fee. Please pay inside front entrance on the right.

Consent

If you have not already done so, you will be asked to sign a consent form for a specific procedure and/or surgery. Before signing a consent form, you should be given information on the procedure and understand:

• The purpose of the procedure
• Expected benefits of the procedure
• Potential complications of the procedure
• Alternatives to the procedure
• Consequences of not proceeding with the procedure

If you have any questions about consent, please discuss this with your doctor. The decision to accept or refuse treatment is yours.

Discharge

Once your health care team has determined you can go home, you should know:

• follow-up appointments with your family physician and specialists
• what to watch for and who to call if you have a problem
• when you can go back to work and resume normal activities
• which medication you have been given and the possible side effects

Please note that you will not be able to drive after your procedure. We require your driver to come up to Day Surgery to pick you up.

Endoscopy patients’ driver must stay close to the hospital during the procedure. They will be contacted with a pick-up time after your procedure is completed and must come to the unit to pick you up.

When arriving to pick you up, your driver may temporarily park in the loop near the main entrance to the hospital. Parking/stopping in the loop is not permitted for more 20 minutes.

Front visitor parking is available for a fee. Please pay inside front entrance on the right.

A wheelchair will be used to transport you to your vehicle. The wheelchair can be left in the main lobby, and we will have it taken back to the unit.

Health Care Directive

A Health Care Directive is a personal care document that describes your wishes for your care, in the event that you are unable to make those wishes known. If you have such a document, please advise our staff when you are admitted. For more information on Health Care Directives, please ask your health care provider.

This information can improve your recovery and your health. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have before leaving the hospital.

Respectful Workplace

There are times when procedures may be delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. We appreciate your patience. We will not tolerate shouting, threatening behaviour, demanding behaviour, physical abuse or swearing.

Designated Smoking Areas

Please restrict smoking to our designated smoking areas only. Manitoba law requires smokers to be 25 feet away from a building entrance.

Compliments & Concerns

Tell Us! We’d like to hear your compliments and concerns.