Endoscopy Center at The Elliot Hospital
About the Center |
The staff at the Endoscopy Center at the Elliot Hospital provide both outpatient and inpatient services to people of all ages with digestive tract diseases. We provide affordable services in a comfortable and convenient environment. We can also provide resources such as interpreters/translators and social services to meet your needs. Endoscopy is an examination used to determine the overall health of the inside walls of your digestive system. It often gives a more accurate picture of the GI tract when compared with other tests. An endoscopy allows your doctor to see inside your digestive tract, examine it carefully, and take color photographs. During an endoscopy, an instrument called an endoscope is used to examine and possibly treat some conditions in the body's digestive tract. The endoscopy is an excellent method to help diagnose or confirm various conditions or diseases. You may have questions and perhaps some fears and concerns about having an endoscopy. That's very understandable, especially if this is your first procedure. But you can rest assured that you are having an examination with an excellent safety record. This test can give your doctor helpful information to help diagnose and treat various conditions and diseases. And our staff of GI certified Registered Nurses, Nursing Assistants, and physicians will maintain your privacy and personal dignity. Endoscopy services at the Elliot Hospital are available from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Emergency GI consultation and treatment is available to your physician and the Emergency Department doctors after business hours and on weekends.
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Endoscopy Services |
Click on the links below to learn more about that particular service. Esophagoscopy/Gastroscopy Food And Nutrition Services
Colonoscopy And Polypectomy
Colonoscopy is a procedure in which a flexible tube called a colonoscope is inserted through the rectum and advanced into the colon. This procedure is performed to determine the presence and severity of any abnormalities in the colon.
-To further clarify any abnormality that may have been detected by X ray. -To remove polyps or take biopsies, if indicated. -To re-examine the colon after treatment for disease, to rule out a reoccurrence of disease, and/or to evaluate the healing process. -For evaluation of rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, prolonged diarrhea and/or changes in bowel habits/irregularity. -To screen for early detection of colon diseases or malignancies, especially in high risk persons such as:
Preparing For Your Colonoscopy
Please register at the outpatient desk one hour before your appointment, regardless of whether you preregistered. If you need to cancel your appointment, please call your doctor at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of your Colonoscopy. Outpatient registration will direct you to the Endoscopy Center. You will need to sign a consent form for this procedure. (If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must accompany you and sign the consent form). Relatives will not be permitted to stay in the endoscopy area, but will be notified when the procedure is completed. The endoscopy nursing staff will answer questions regarding your procedure, and will be with you throughout the procedure to assist you and your physician.
The colonoscopy is performed with you lying on your left side with your knees bent. Medication will be given intravenously to relax you and make you as comfortable as possible. As standard procedure, your heart rate will be monitored throughout the colonoscopy. The colonoscope will be inserted into the rectum and then guided through the entire length of the colon for complete examination. You may experience cramping sensations with the introduction of air into your colon or when the colonoscope is maneuvered around bends in your colon. Your physician will make every effort to minimize discomfort. The procedure takes approximately 15 – 20 minutes, but may differ for each patient. Any abnormalities will be identified, biopsies will be taken, polyps removed, and appropriate treatment will be performed as necessary. Biopsy and polyp removal are painless. All samples are then forwarded to the laboratory for analysis. Your physician will call you with results in three to four days.
If you are an outpatient, you will recover in the Endoscopy Center until the effects of the medication have worn off. If you are an inpatient, a nurse will take you back to your room. You may feel “bloated” and have some cramping for a short while after the procedure, caused by the air that was introduced into the colon during the examination. Expelling the air will ease the discomfort. You may keep your regular diet, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Upon being discharged from the hospital, if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to call your doctor.
The risk of complications from a colonoscopy (and polypectomy) is rare, but there are potential problems, such as perforation of the colon, hemorrhage (excessive bleeding), or adverse reactions to medication used for this procedure. Drowsiness is to be expected after the procedure. Your physician will discuss possible complications with you before your procedure. We hope this information helps you understand and prepare for your colonoscopy. If you have questions prior to your appointment, please call your physician. Remember to wear comfortable clothing on the day of the procedure and to bring:
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Sigmoidoscopy
What is a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy? Sigmoidoscopy is a procedure in which a flexible tube called a sigmoidoscope is inserted through the rectum into the lower colon. It allows the physician to determine the presence and/or the severity of any abnormalities. If necessary, biopsies or polyps may be taken through the instrument without any discomfort to you.
To further clarify any abnormality that may have been detected by X ray. To remove polyps or take biopsies, if indicated. For evaluation of rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, prolonged diarrhea, and/or change in bowel habits, or irregularity. To re-examine the rectum and sigmoid after treatment for disease, to rule out a reoccurrence of disease, and/or to evaluate the healing process. To screen for early detection of colon diseases or malignancies, especially in high risk persons such as:
Preparing For Your Sigmoidoscopy
Please register at the outpatient desk one hour before your appointment, regardless of whether you preregistered. If you need to cancel your appointment, please call your doctor at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of your sigmoidoscopy. Outpatient registration will direct you to the Endoscopy Center. You will need to sign a consent form for this procedure. (If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must accompany you and sign the consent form). Relatives will not be permitted to stay in the endoscopy area, but will be notified when the procedure is completed. The endoscopy nursing staff will answer questions you may have regarding your procedure, and will be with you throughout the procedure to assist you and your physician.
The procedure is performed with you lying on your left side with your knees bent. The sigmoidoscope will be gently inserted into the rectum and carefully advanced to the sigmoid area. You may occasionally experience cramping sensations during the procedure. This is normal and is caused by the insertion of air through the sigmoidoscope. Your physician will make every effort to minimize discomfort. The procedure takes approximately 5 – 10 minutes, but may differ for each patient. Any abnormalities will be identified, biopsies will be taken, polyps removed, and appropriate treatment will be performed as necessary. Biopsy and polyp removal are painless. All samples are then forwarded to the laboratory for analysis.
If you are an outpatient, you will be discharged from the Endoscopy Center when the procedure is complete. No driver is needed. If you are an inpatient, a nurse will take you back to your room. You may experience a bloated feeling and have “gas cramps” from the air that was introduced into the sigmoid colon during the examination. This should stop as soon as the air is passed. This test may be followed by an x-ray procedure called a barium enema, which examines the remainder of the large bowel. You may keep your regular diet, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Upon being discharged from the hospital, if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to call your doctor.
The risk of complications from a sigmoidoscopy is rare, but there are potential problems, such as perforation of the colon or hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding). Your doctor will discuss possible complications with you before the procedure. We hope this information helps you understand and prepare for your sigmoidoscopy. If you have questions prior to your appointment at the Endoscopy Center, please call Nurse On-Call at (603) 663-1111 or your physician. Remember to wear comfortable clothing on the day of the procedure and to bring:
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Esophagoscopy/Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy is a procedure in which a flexible tube called a gastroscope is passed down the esophagus (the food tube) into the stomach and duodenum (the beginning of the small bowel). The tube allows the physician to view your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. This procedure is performed to determine the presence and severity of any abnormalities in the esophagus, stomach, and/or duodenum.
-To determine the source of and treat upper gastrointestinal bleeding. -To evaluate upper abdominal pain and problems with swallowing. -To further clarify any abnormality seen on x-ray and to obtain biopsies, if needed. -To detect suspected abnormalities that may not be seen on x-ray, such as esophagitis or gastritis. -To re-examine ulcers after treatment in order to evaluate the healing process. -To remove a polyp (type of growth) from the stomach, or to remove a foreign body, (such as food, bones, coins, etc.) that may block the esophagus. -To further evaluate heartburn and/or regurgitation.
Preparing For Your Gastroscopy
Please register at the outpatient desk one hour before your appointment, regardless of whether you preregistered. If you need to cancel your appointment, please call your doctor at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled time of your gastroscopy. Outpatient registration will direct you to the Endoscopy Center. You will need to sign a consent form for this procedure. (If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must accompany you and sign the consent form). Relatives will not be permitted to stay in the endoscopy area, but will be notified when the procedure is completed. The endoscopy nursing staff will answer questions regarding your procedure, and will be with you throughout the procedure to assist you and your physician.
Your throat will be anesthetized (numbed either with a gargle or spray), to eliminate or minimize gagging. Medication will then be given intravenously to relax you and make you as comfortable as possible. The gastroscopy is performed with you lying on your left side. The gastroscope will be inserted into your mouth and guided through your esophagus and stomach for a complete examination. The gastroscope does not interfere with your breathing during the procedure. The procedure takes approximately 5 – 10 minutes, but may differ for each patient. Any abnormalities will be identified, biopsies will be taken, polyps removed, and appropriate treatment will be performed as necessary. Biopsy and polyp removal are painless. All samples are then forwarded to the laboratory for analysis.
If you are an outpatient, you will recover in the Endoscopy Center until the effects of the medication have worn off. If you are an inpatient, a nurse will take you back to your room. You will be given something to drink prior to discharge to make sure the numbness in your throat has worn off. Resume your regular diet, unless otherwise instructed by your physician. Upon being discharged from the hospital, if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to call your doctor, or Nurse On-Call at (603) 663-1111 to speak with a nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The risk of complications from a gastroscopy is rare, but there are potential problems, such as perforation of the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum, hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding), or adverse reactions to medication used for the procedure. Your doctor will discuss possible complications with you before your procedure. We hope this information helps you understand and prepare for your gastroscopy. If you have questions prior to your appointment at the Endoscopy Center, please call Nurse On-Call at (603) 663-1111 or your physician. Remember to wear comfortable clothing on the day of the procedure and to bring:
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Food And Nutrition Services
Elliot Hospital offers food and nutrition services on an outpatient basis if you need evaluation and modification of your diet.
Nutrition counseling sessions with a registered dietitian are available with a physician referral. Areas of expertise include weight reduction, sports nutrition, diet and pregnancy, weight gain, and therapeutic diets for medical conditions (cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, gastrointestinal disorders, hypoglycemia, etc.). Hourly sessions are scheduled by appointment. Half-hour follow-up visits are also available. Call (603) 669-5300, ext. 2520 or 2251 for information and costs.
Computer Analysis Of Diet Intake Three-day food intake records can be analyzed and the results discussed with you on an appointment basis. Please call (603) 669-5300, ext. 2520 or 2251 for information and costs.
Any general questions concerning food and nutrition can be answered by a dietitian at Elliot Hospital. Call (603) 669-5300, ext. 2520 or 2521 during business hours, Monday through Friday.
Scientists generally agree that a high fiber diet can be useful in treating constipation, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel syndrome. Other studies have shown possible beneficial effects of dietary fiber on diabetes, heart disease, elevated blood cholesterol levels, and weight control. A high fiber diet may prevent certain types of cancers of the colon, but further research is needed in this area. The USDA “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” recommends a selection of high fiber foods. The average intake of dietary fiber is 10 to 15 grams per day, but suggested intake is 25 to 40 grams per day. Fiber is the indigestible portion of fruits, vegetables, cereals, and grains, which are sometimes referred to as “bulk” and “roughage.” Fiber in the diet has a number of benefits to the body:
Some Good Sources Of Fiber The best sources of fiber are grains and whole grain products, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and various parts of these foods. The following are some good examples of fiber-rich foods:
An adequate fluid intake of at least 1-1½ quarts each day should be maintained, unless other medical conditions prohibit it. |