The colonoscopy experience at Mid Columbia Endoscopy Center

(509) 460-5500 ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS!!!

Colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and infusion therapy for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis done at our facility typically provide significant cost savings compared to those done at hospital-owned facilities!!! Please verify with your insurance.

For colon cancer screening, although most insurance carriers do not require a referral (please check with your insurance), we require chart notes from your primary care physician prior to scheduling an appointment to ensure continuity of care.

Mid-Columbia Endoscopy Center offers an excellent alternative to the hospital experience. Some of the positive aspects are:

Excellent staff—warm, friendly, professional, and experienced
More relaxed environment—a smaller facility with a personal touch
Quality care using the latest technology—always striving for excellence
Efficient process with minimal waiting (a colonoscopy, from entering the facility to going home, usually only takes about 1 1/2 hours)

What to expect when you come for a colonoscopy:

You will need to follow all of the instructions provided to you in order to be properly prepared for your procedure
When you come into our facility for the procedure, you must come with a family member or friend who can stay at the facility during the entire time you are at the facility, drive you home and be responsible for your safety following the procedure
After checking in, a nurse will call you back to our pre-procedure area, verify your health history, measure your vital signs, and ask a few questions
Your physician will talk with you, making sure that your questions have been answered, and that you are not having any new problems, and will have you sign a consent form
You will be directed to remove all clothing from the waist down, except socks, and put a procedure gown on with the opening in the back
The nurse will start an IV so that you can receive sedation
You will be transported on the stretcher to the procedure room where vital signs monitors will be placed
Before you receive any sedation, we will verify your information one more time, and then you will be asked to lie on your left side. We will make sure you are comfortably in position, and start the sedation and procedure process
The actual colonoscopy usually only takes about 20 minutes
After your physician is finished with the colonoscopy, you will be transported on the stretcher to the post-procedure area. Once you are alert enough, the nurse will remove your IV, help you get dressed (it is best to wear loose-fitting clothes that are easy to get off and on), and bring your driver back to sit with you (if you choose). You will be offered something to drink at this point
Your physician will talk to you and your driver (unless you request otherwise) after the procedure to discuss the findings
After your physician talks with you, one of our medical assistants will escort you to your vehicle in a wheelchair, and you can go home
As soon as you feel able, you may eat food (no alcohol for 24 hours)
You will be restricted from driving, operating any machinery, making any major decision, or doing anything that requires mental alertness or unimpaired dexterity for the remainder of the day
One of our staff will call you the next business day to check on you doing after your procedure and to answer any remaining questions you may have

That's all! In reality, it is a very quick, relatively painless process that gives you peace of mind knowing that you are taking good care of yourself!

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