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Digestive Health Center FAQs
Below are answers to common questions asked
by our patients. If you don't find answers to your questions
here, then please call (608) 229-7575 or toll free (877) 229-7575,
and a Digestive Health Center staff person will be happy to assist you.
- Where is the Digestive Health Center located?
- Where can I park?
- What hours is the Digestive Health Center open?
- What should I bring with me to my procedure?
- What should I do if I have billing or insurance questions?
- What does a gastroscope look like and how does it work?
- What does a colonoscope look like and how does it work?
- What should I do if I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy and haven't received my colon prep laxative or instructions?
- What can I do to prevent "sore bottom" while following my colon prep laxative instructions?
- What protocol should I follow regarding my regular daily medications?
- How soon will I know the results of my procedure?
- How soon will I know the results of any biopsies taken?
- How will I feel after the procedure?
- What complications should I watch for after my procedure?
- When can I drive after the procedure?
- What are the American Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal cancer screening?
- Can endoscopy (colonoscopy and gastroscopy) procedures only diagnose problems?
Where is the Digestive Health Center located?
The Digestive
Health Center is located on the first floor of the Dean & St.
Mary's Outpatient Center at 700 S. Park Street, Madison WI, on
the St. Mary's Hospital
campus.
Get
driving directions and maps.
Where can I park?
From Park Street turn on Erin Street. This is the entrance to the St. Mary’s campus. Turn at the first left into the parking ramp entrance on Erin Street. If you park in the ramp, please bring your parking card in to the Digestive Health Center to be validated. Both are free services.
What hours is the Digestive Health Center open?
The facility is open Monday through Friday, 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.
The Digestive Health Center has a pre-admission nurse available between 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Monday–Thursday), and 8:30 to 4:00 PM (Friday to obtain health assessment and answer questions. You may contact him/her, if you wish, toll free at 1-877-229-7575 or locally at 608- 229-7582.
You may also call the Dean on Call nurse at (608) 250-1393 or 1-800-57-NURSE, open 24 hours daily.
Both sites can assist in answering your questions regarding the procedure or your colon prep laxative.
What should I bring with me to my procedure?
Have a responsible adult with you upon discharge because you will be given medicine that will make you drowsy during the procedure will not be allowed to drive yourself home.
Please bring your insurance card with you. You will be asked to verify your social security number, but do not need to bring the card with you if you know it.
You will be asked to change into a hospital gown once you arrive at the Digestive Health Center. For a Colonoscopy, you will be asked to remove underclothing. Slippers are available and a second gown will be given to you to use as a robe.
Please be aware that there may be delays due to emergency situations. Your patience is appreciated. Magazines are available at the Digestive Health Center, but you may bring your own magazine, book or I-pod. We currently do not provide Personal Computer hook up for our patients and/or visitors.
What should I do if I have billing or insurance questions?
FOR BILLING QUESTIONS: Feel free to contact our billing department at (608) 250-1336 or 1-800-222-5962 before your procedure should you have any questions.
FOR INSURANCE QUESTIONS: Your insurance company may require prior authorization for the procedure/service being scheduled. Not following this requirement could reduce your benefits and leave you financially responsible. It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company to determine if prior authorization is required prior to receiving the service. Most companies list a phone number on the insurance ID card for you to contact them with questions regarding policy.
What does a gastroscope look like and how does it work?
The gastroscope is a flexible fiberoptic camera
with a 103 cm working length. It is connected to a video processor
and light source. The light source illuminates the end of the
scope allowing the gastroenterologist to visualize the inside
to the upper GI tract (esophagus, stomach and upper part of the
small intestine). The video processor allows the picture seen
through the camera lens at the end of the scope to be displayed
on a monitor screen. The physician has the ability to insert
air through the scope to expand tissue to assist with visualization.
He/She also have the ability to use suction through the scope
to remove air and/or any fluids during the procedure.
What does a colonoscope look like and how does it work?
The colonoscope is a flexible fiberoptic camera
with a 168 cm working length. It is connected to a video processor
and light source. The light source illuminates the end of the
scope allowing the gastroenterologist to visualize the inside
to the lower GI tract (from rectum through entire large intestine,
also called large bowel or colon). The video processor allows
the picture seen through the camera lens at the end of the scope
to be displayed on a monitor screen. The physician has the ability
to insert air through the scope to expand tissue to assist with
visualization. He/She also have the ability to use suction through
the scope to remove air and/or any fluids during the procedure.
It is very important that you drink your colon prep as directed until what you expel is completely clear. Clear means it is clear like yellow water but may have “flecks.” Also, stool must remain clear. All fecal material must be flushed out of your system. This allows your physician to have a clear view of your colon. Being able to see the colon clearly allows for the best possible examination in the least amount of time and therefore with less sedation.
What should I do if I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy and haven't received my colon prep laxative or instructions?
You should receive a Prescription by mail or have it called into your pharmacy. This prescription will be for a pre-medication (which helps the laxative work) and Colon Laxative Preparation to drink. Pick the prep up as soon as possible. Please READ your LAXATIVE PREP INSTRUCTIONS at least TWO DAYS PRIOR to your PROCEDURE because there are some diet restrictions. These are mailed to you from the Digestive Health Center, but if you have not received them at least 1 week prior to your procedure – PLEASE CALL 608-229-7575 or toll free at 1-877-229-7575. Please follow your prep instructions carefully as this will help determine how clean your colon is for the exam.
What can I do to prevent "sore bottom" while following my colon prep laxative instructions?
Some people experience a “sore bottom” once the prep laxative begins working. Some things you can do to alleviate this discomfort are: keep area clean and dry by:
- Soaking in tub of warm water then gently pat area dry, do not rub.
- Gently washing area with warm water and wash cloth then gently pat area dry, do not rub.
- Use commercial wipes to clean area, (e.g.., baby wipes, adult sanitary wipes, Tucks hemorrhoidal pads with witch hazel, can be very comforting.)
- JUST BEFORE STARTING PREP laxative – Apply ointment such as A&D or Vaseline. DO NOT USE Zinc based ointments.
- Use hemorrhoidal ointment if you have hemorrhoids.
What protocol should I follow regarding my regular daily medications?
1. Blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin
(Warfarin) and Plavix MUST be stopped prior to the procedure. This
is to lessen the risk of bleeding. The procedure may be canceled
if your blood is too thin. Please check with the physician
who ordered your blood-thinning medication to be sure it is safe
for you to discontinue this medicine.
• Coumadin – stop X 3 days
• Plavix – stop X 5 days
• ASA – no need to stop
2. If you take insulin or oral medications for diabetes, you will need to adjust your dosage. You will not be eating or drinking for most of the day. Please discuss this with your primary doctor. If you develop insulin shock due to low blood sugar, you will need to treat it with orange juice or hard candy immediately. Please contact us if this happens so we can determine if the colonoscopy can still be performed. It may need to be rescheduled.
3. You should take your regular morning medicines (EXCEPT Coumadin, Plavix and Insulin) with a small sip of water before 7 AM. If you have an inhaler(s), nitroglycerin tablets, or medicine you need to take shortly after your exam, please bring these in with you. Avoid taking medicine containing iron for three days prior to the exam, although this is not critical.
4. DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT IF YOUR EXAM IS IN THE MORNING, except for your morning medications with a SMALL sip of water. Follow your Laxative Prep Instructions as far as diet.
How soon will I know the results of my procedure?
Your gastroenterologist will explain to you the results of your exam toward the end of your recovery period, shortly before you are discharged. However, because of the medications used for sedation during the procedure, it is encouraged that you have a friend or relative present to help you remember what will be explained. Sometimes the physician will write the findings on your discharge instruction sheet, but these are not in any detail.
How soon will I know the results of any biopsies taken?
If any biopsies were done, the results of these will be sent to you and your primary physician within two weeks of your exam, or you may be asked to call the physician who performed the exam to obtain the results. It takes at least 3 days for the physician to receive results, so if you call his/her office, wait at least 72 hours.
How will I feel after the procedure?
People respond differently to procedural sedation. Most people remain drowsy the remainder of the day, but some may arouse moderately awake and alert.
As a result of the sedative medications administered to you during the procedure, most people do not completely remember all of the details surrounding the examination.
You may experience gas discomfort. This is usually helped by walking, and is usually gone by the following morning.
Your throat may be sore for one to two days after the procedure. Gargling with warm salt water may relieve some of this discomfort.
If the IV site is tender, apply a warm compress to the area for five to ten minutes, four times a day. Your physician should be notified if this does not get better in 1 to 2 days.
You will not be allowed to drive yourself home, AND you must have a responsible adult with you upon discharge. You should NOT operate machinery, drink alcoholic beverages, or make critical decisions (i.e. sign legal documents) until the following day.
Normal activities may be resumed the following day. You may also return to work the next day.
What complications should I watch for after my procedure?
CALL THE GASTROENTEROLOGIST IMMEDIATELY IF:
(See names and numbers below)
1. You develop a fever over 100° F or develop shaking chills.
2. You develop new, severe, or increasing pain in your abdomen,
chest, or neck.
3. You begin to vomit.
4. Your bowel movements are bloody, or turn black or maroon
in color.
5. You become light headed or dizzy.
6. You develop shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
Please do not hesitate to call if you have any of the above, or any questions.
Michael Allan, MD — Nurse: 260-6774
Abigail Christiansen, MD — Nurse: 824-4619
John Hamilton, MD — Nurse: 252-8336
John Foss, MD — Nurse: 260-6773
Jeffrey D. Davis, MD — Nurse: 824-4464
Bill Ehrhardt, MD— Nurse: 252-8010
When can I drive after the procedure?
Please be aware that you will be given medicine that will make you drowsy. Therefore, you are not allowed to drive for 12 hours after the procedure, AND you must have a responsible adult with you upon discharge. Also, it is helpful to have your driver remain at the Center during the procedure so the physician will have someone to speak to after the procedure is finished. You should NOT operate machinery, drink alcoholic beverages, or make critical decisions (i.e. sign legal documents) until the following day. We encourage you to rest the remainder of the procedure day. Normal activities may be resumed the following day. You may also return to work the next day.
What are the American Cancer Society guidelines for colorectal cancer screening?
Options for colorectal screening may be chosen
based on individual risk, personal preference, and access.
Average risk adults should begin screening at age 50 years with
ONE of the following:
•
Annual fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or Fecal immunochemical
test (FIT)
•
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
•
Annual FOBT or FIT, plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
•
Double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) every 5 years
•
Colonoscopy every 10 years
Can endoscopy (colonoscopy and gastroscopy) procedures only diagnose problems?
NO! Gastroenterologists can perform polypectomy (removal of polyps), perform esophageal and intestinal dilation (stretching narrowed areas), removal of foreign body (food bolus) and perform hemostasis (stop bleeding) in the GI tract. They can also evaluate, treat and biopsy tumors in the GI tract.
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