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 scheduled you for one or both of these procedure..

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-Anesthetic Clinic

Our Pre-Anesthetic Clinic staff will review medical information submitted by your physician. If you require a pre-procedure clinic visit, they will contact you to schedule an in-person or phone appointment with one of our nurses to discuss your health status, confirm your medications, and answer any questions you may have. The nurse may also give you further instructions about your medications, your procedure, or other tests or blood work the doctor may require.

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 Room doors.

Please register at the day surgery desk on the second floor.

Preparing for your visit

Please only bring items you need for your visit. Please leave your valuables at home. We are not responsible for the loss or damage of personal items.

What to bring

• 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 only bring your medications in if advised to by 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.

Patient Rights and Responsibilities

Please review the Acute Care Patient Rights and Responsibilities prior to attending our facility for care.

At Interlake-Eastern RHA, we are committed to serving you with respect, care and compassion. We are here to listen and respond to your needs.

Pre-Operative Clinic Visit

Our pre-anesthetic clinic staff may 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 about your upcoming procedure. This may include instructions regarding your medication, diagnostic tests or lab work your surgeon may require, and whether or not you will need to fast prior to coming to the hospital. You are welcome to invite a support person to attend this meeting with you.

Consent

While you are in hospital, you may 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.

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.

Experiencing cold/flu-like symptoms prior?

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.

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,

This information can improve your recovery and your health. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have before leaving the hospital. Please note that you not be able to drive after your procedure. We require your driver to come up to Day Surgery to pick you up

Pick-Ups

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.

Drivers may temporarily park in the loop near the main entrance to the hospital.

Wheelchairs

If your family transports you by wheelchair to the main lobby at the time of discharge, simply leave the wheelchair in the main lobby, and we will have it taken back to the unit.

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.