Procedures performed By GIE

Since 1985, GastroIntestinal Endoscopy (GIE) has been providing an efficient 'Open Access' service for colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

With the 'Open Access' or direct referral system the patient is referred by the patient's GP for a procedure without consultation with a Gastroenterologist. The patient must have few or no medical complaints to access this system. No consultation fee is charged.

The following are the procedures provided by GIE using this Open Access referral system.

• Colonoscopy
• Endoscopy
• Capsule Endoscopy

Our Gastroenterologists do perform other endoscopic procedures such as ERCP, endoscopic ultrasound, stenting, treatment of varices and more, but they are not performed on an Open Access basis. These procedures require a private consultation and discussion with the Gastroenterologist prior to the procedure and are therefore not offered as part of the Open Access service.

Before undergoing a gastrointestinal procedure it is important to be fully informed about the procedure, including the benefits and risks. Please read the information below to learn how, we at GIE, advise our Open Access patients to proceed once requested to have a gastrointestinal procedure.

Colonoscopy

Once your GP or referring doctor has requested that you have a colonoscopy, you firstly must phone our GIE booking staff at one of our four locations. Please have ready with you:

• Health fund details (if applicable)
• Medicare card number
• DVA/Pension/ health care card details (if applicable)
• Your referral letter to confirm procedure information

The GIE booking staff will indicate to you if there will be any cost involved in this procedure and provide you with an estimate of expenses. Some paperwork may be sent to you for you to complete outlining your medical history and personal details.

Our booking staff will also provide you with two appointment dates. These being:

1. A preparation appointment to the facility where you are to have your procedure. The nursing staff at this facility will give you your preparation solution and discuss the procedure itself.
2. Your appointment date for the procedure.

About your preparation appointment (prep kit appointment)

When you attend your preparation appointment please bring with you:

• Your referral letter from your GP
• A list of medications you are currently taking
• Medicare card
• Health fund number/ details (if applicable)
• Pensioner/ Health Care card /DVA card (if applicable)
• Method for settling your account
• Your paperwork detailing your personal and health details (if this was sent to you )

A specifically trained gastroenterology registered nurse will discuss with you your suitability and fitness for the procedure. A detailed medical history is taken. Detailed written information about the procedure including risks and benefits are given to all patients to take home to read.

The nurse will also discuss the low residue diet which is required for 3 days prior to the colonoscopy. Also the patient will be provided with a preparation kit containing instructions on how and when to commence taking the laxatives and the salty tasting solution which completely flushes out the colon.

This appointment takes about 20 minutes.

Day of Colonoscopy

• You will be advised by your preadmission nurse when to abstain from food and fluid prior to your colonoscopy. Please adhere to these instructions. Failure to do so may result in your procedure being cancelled.
• Take essential medications with minimal water unless otherwise instructed by your preadmssion nurse.

When you attend for your procedure please wear loose clothing and bring with you;

• Your referral letter from your GP (if you have not already done so )
• Health fund details, Medicare card, DVA, Pension/Health card details (if applicable)
• The contact details of the person taking you home
• Something to read
• Method for settling your account

You will be at the facility for approximately 3-4 hours.

About the procedure

Please download and read the following information which would be provided to you if you were to undergo a colonoscopy with one of our Gastroenterologists.

• Colonoscopy Informed Consent
• Colonoscopy preparation and diet guide
• Gastroenterology Patient Admission Form

After the procedure

The Gastroenterologist will NOT routinely discuss normal or trivial findings with the patient. If there are any serious findings e.g. cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, the Gastroenterologist will discuss these with the patient and also call the referring GP.

The patient is given a report in their hand to take with them to give to the GP. The GP will then discuss the findings with the patient.

Discharging Home after a Colonoscopy.  You have had an intravenous sedation.

• For legal reasons, you must not drive a vehicle or operate machinery for at least 12 hours following intravenous sedation. This carries the same implications as 'drink driving'.
• You must have a responsible adult escort you home and stay with you for 12 hours after the procedure and /or overnight depending upon your procedure time.
• You must not care for dependent children or adults without responsible help for at least 12 hours after your procedure.
• You will be unable to work on the day of your procedure.
• You are advised to be very careful in simple household tasks in the 12 hours after receiving sedation. Your co-ordination may be impaired for some time and therefore it is important not to use sharp knives, risk kitchen burns, etc.
• If you develop any pain, fever, vomiting or blood loss after the procedure, you should contact your Gastroenterologist; the facility where your procedure was performed; or attend a Hospital Emergency Centre with your procedure report and discharge advice instructions.

Please download and read the following information which would be provided to you after your Colonoscopy procedure with one of our Gastroenterologists.

• Gastroenterology Discharge Advice Form

Upper Endoscopy

Once your GP or referring doctor has requested that you have an upper endoscopy, you firstly must phone our GIE booking staff at one of our four locations. Please have ready with you:

• Health fund details (if applicable)
• Medicare card number
• DVA/Pensioner health care card details (if applicable)
• Your referral letter to confirm procedure information

The GIE booking staff will indicate to you if there will be any cost involved in this procedure and provide you with an estimate of expenses. You will be asked about your diabetic status and blood thinning medications. Some paperwork may be sent to you for you to complete outlining your medical history and personal details. An appointment date for your endoscopy will be made for you at this time.

A nurse will call you prior to the day of the procedure to discuss medical history, arrival and fasting times and answer any questions you may have.

Day of Upper Endoscopy procedure

Fasting Instructions:

• No food for 8 hours prior to the procedure
• No fluids for 4 hours prior to the procedure

Take your essential medications with minimal water unless otherwise instructed.

When you attend for your procedure please wear comfortable clothing and bring with you;

• Your referral letter from your GP (if applicable)
• Health fund details, Medicare card, DVA, Pension/Health card details (if applicable)
• The contact details of the person taking you home
• A list of medications you are currently taking
• Any relavant Xrays/reports
• Something to read
• Method for settling your account
• Your paperwork detailing your personal and health details (if this was sent to you )

You will be at the facility for approximately 3-4 hours.

About the procedure

Please download and read the following information which would be provided to you if you were to undergo an endoscopy with one of our Gastroenterologists.

• Endoscopy Informed Consent
• Gastroenterology Patient Admission form

After the procedure

The Gastroenterologist will NOT routinely discuss normal or trivial findings with the patient. If there are any serious findings e.g. cancer, the Gastroenterologist will discuss this with the patient and also call the referring GP.

The patient is given a report in their hand to take with them to give to the GP. The GP will then discuss the findings with the patient.

Discharging Home after an Upper Endoscopy procedure.   You have had an intravenous sedation.

• For legal reasons, you must not drive a vehicle or operate machinery for at least 12 hours following intravenous sedation. This carries the same implications as 'drink driving'.
• You must have a responsible adult escort you home and stay with you for 12 hours after the procedure and /or overnight depending upon your procedure time.
• You must not care for dependent children or adults without responsible help for at least 12 hours after your procedure.
• You will be unable to work on the day of your procedure.
• You are advised to be very careful in simple household tasks in the 12 hours after receiving sedation. Your co-ordination may be impaired for some time and therefore it is important not to use sharp knives, risk kitchen burns, etc.
• If you develop any pain, fever, vomiting or blood loss after the procedure, you should contact your Gastroenterologist; the facility where your procedure was performed; or attend a Hospital Emergency Centre with your procedure report and discharge advice instructions.

Please download and read the following information which would be provided to you after your Upper Endoscopy procedure with one of our Gastroenterologists.

• Gastroenterology Discharge Advice Form

Capsule Endoscopy

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy is now available through Brisbane Endoscopy Services at Sunnybank. Two of our highly respected Gastroenterologists, Dr Michael Miros and Dr Roderick Roberts perform these procedures.

Capsule Endoscopy represents a major advance in non invasive imaging of the small bowel. Prior to this the only way to review the small bowel was with x-rays, CT scanning, a push enteroscope or surgery.

This Capsule technology helps to evaluate the diseases of the small bowel and detects lesions that were previously unable to be accurately detected.

This technique should only be performed after an endoscopy and colonoscopy have failed to detect a cause of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Please download and read the following information which would be provided to you if you were to undergo a Capsule Endoscopy with Dr Rod Roberts or Dr Michael Miros.

• Capsule Endoscopy consent form
• Capsule Endoscopy patient information
• Capsule Endoscopy post procedure information