Endoscopy Care Centre
Gastroscopy
Our health care team of Doctors,Registered Nurses (RN) and Clerks strive to provide the best possible patient /family centred care for your visit.
It has been decided after careful assessment of your medical history, a Gastroscopy procedure is necessary for further evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of your condition.
If you agree to proceeding with the procedure the physician is recommending, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
What is a Gastroscopy?
With the use of a gastroscope your doctor is able to see inside the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
The procedure is very safe and should not cause pain. A gastroscope is a long, thin flexible tube with a light at the end that is connected to a video monitor. The tube is inserted through your mouth and is directed into your esophagus as you swallow. Your throat will be sprayed with
an anesthetic (numbing) medication before the tube is inserted.
What can I expect?
On arrival:
You will be asked to complete the registration process - provide health card and other personal information including the name and phone number of the contact person who will be accompanying you home after the procedure. If your Ontario Health Card is red and white you
will be asked to provide additional photo identification. Photo ID is not required with a green Ontario Health Card.
How long will my family have to wait?
The entire visit usually takes 2-3 hours.
If your family is planning to wait in the hospital during your visit, they will be offered the option of a pager so they can wait in other areas of the hospital and will be paged when it is time to return to the Endoscopy Care Centre.
After registering:
An ID arm band will be applied to your wrist and you will be shown to the locker/change area and asked to change into a hospital gown and housecoat and to lock-up your personal belongings in a locker. Please check the arm band when it is applied to confirm the information is correct.
Will I need to take all of my clothes off?
You will be instructed to leave your jewelry and bra on (if applicable) and all clothing below your waist including your shoes and socks. Remove all other clothing above the waist. Please secure valuables (cell phones, etc.) in the locker.
After changing you will be asked to have a seat in the waiting area inside the clinic.
What if I need to go the bathroom before the procedure?
Washrooms are located inside the clinic for your convenience either before or after the procedure. The location of the washroom will be identified when you are taken to the change area.
What medical information do I need to provide?
A Registered Nurse (RN) will introduce herself, take you to the interview area to assess and record a brief history. Tell her about the medications your are taking and why, and the last time you took the medications. Please include any non prescription or herbal medications/ supplements you take on a regular basis.
The RN will then assess your blood pressure, pulse and the oxygen level in your blood.
When can I ask questions?
Ask the RN to clarify any concerns, fears or anxieties you may have about the procedure. The doctor is also available to answer your questions before the procedure starts.
Procedure:
The RN assisting the physician with the procedure will introduce herself, escort you into the room and help you onto the stretcher.
The doctor will greet you and clarify any concerns/anxieties you may have before the procedure begins.
If you have dentures or glasses, you will be asked to remove them and to give them to the RN.
The RN will attach cardiac monitoring electrodes to your chest area, a blood pressure cuff to your arm and an oxygen monitoring device to your finger to monitor you during the procedure.
The physician will spray medication (anesthetic) in your throat before the procedure begins and the RN will insert a mouth piece to prevent you from biting the tube.
How long will the procedure take?
The actual procedure usually takes about 2-5 minutes. However it may take longer and is dependent on the individual who is having the procedure.
The RN will be present during the procedure and will be coaching and reassuring you.
The physician will talk to you during the procedure and will share the findings when the procedure is over or after you have recovered.
After the procedure, the RN will transport you to the recovery area on the stretcher.
How long does it take to recover from the procedure?
The recovery period is usually about an hour. However it is individual and depends on how soon your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen levels return to your normal limits. A RN will be monitoring you on regular intervals and will update you.
Before you are discharged home, a RN will review the instructions to follow at home:
- signs and symptoms of complications (“danger signals”),
- what to do if there is a complication and
- your follow-up plans.
Please ask the RN to address any questions or concerns you have before you leave the Endoscopy Care Centre.
Will my appointment be on time?
We respect your time and will do our best to stay on schedule. However due to the nature of the care we provide, the need for someone else to have an emergency procedure may delay your appointment.
We will keep you posted if your procedure is delayed.
If there is anything else we can do to make your stay more comfortable please let one of our team members know.
We welcome your feedback.
Please leave your comments in the ‘Comment Box’ in the waiting area and if you receive a Patient Satisfaction Survey in the mail, please complete and return it at your earliest convenience. Your feedback is important to us.
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