Preparation for GI Procedures
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Preparation
Preparation for GI ProceduresPreparation for GI Procedures in the Ambulatory Care Unit Oconee Regional Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Unit (ACU) provides state-of-the-art patient care for both inpatients and outpatients requiring upper or lower gastro-intestinal (GI) studies. Our GI procedure rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art high definition scopes and monitors. Available G.I. Unit procedures include:
The G.I. physicians are assisted by specially trained GI Registered Nurses. The Ambulatory Care Unit is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Prior to Your Procedure The Ambulatory Care Unit staff will generally call within 24 hours before your procedure to review your medical history and any relevant prior tests. They will also review your medications. During the call, please have information available about all of the medications you take. If no contact is made, please bring either a detailed list of your medications (including dosage amounts and the number of times taken per day) or bring your medications in their pharmacy bottles. The Day Before – Required Preparation If you are having a colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy or other endoscopic procedure, your physician will give you instructions on how to prepare for your exam. You must follow these instructions as closely as possible in order for the physician to perform your exam. If you have any problems with your preparation, call your physician, even if it is after hours. If you are a diabetic and having a colonoscopy, please contact your physician for instructions on how much insulin or oral diabetic medicine you should take on the bowel preparation day and the procedure day. Also, continue to take all blood pressure medications and heart medications these two days. If you take aspirin or other blood thinning medications (Coumadin, Plavix, Warfarin, Aggrenox, etc.), ask your doctor if you should stop taking them prior to your procedure. You will be on a clear liquid diet the day before your procedure. This means no solid foods or dairy products. You may have an unlimited amount of liquids during this day. Clear liquids include: water, apple juice, cranberry juice, clear broths, tea, soft drinks, sports drinks, coffee (without milk, cream, or dry creamer products), jello, popsicles. Avoid drinks, jello, or popsicles containing red coloration. The more clear liquids you drink, the better your prep will work and the less dehydrated you will be on your test day.
Procedure Day and Information
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