Endoscopy

An endoscopy is a procedure where a specialist uses an endoscope, a long flexible tube with a tiny camera and light at the end, to look inside your body. It can be used for diagnostic as well as for preventative purposes.  

The Endoscopy Units at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and Prince County Hospital (PCH) provide care to patients staying in the hospital (inpatient) and those who are not (outpatient). 

Services include:

• gastroscopy
• colonoscopy
• flexible sigmoidoscopy
• endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)
• bronchoscopy
• endobronchial ultrasound

Referrals

Your family doctor or nurse practitioner will refer you to one of the following endoscopy specialists depending on your healthcare requirements: gastroenterologist, respirologist or surgeon. If you do not have a primary care provider, a clinician at either a walk-in clinic or virtual clinic (e.g., Maple) will be able to refer you. 

The Colorectal Cancer Screening Program also refers to Endoscopy. 

When will I be contacted for my endoscopy appointment? 

Once your referral is received, the specialist will review your information and will send a request to the Endoscopy Unit to book your procedure. The urgency of your referral will determine how soon you are notified about your appointment:

• Urgent:  You will be notified about an appointment as soon as possible. 
• Semi-urgent:  You will be notified about an appointment within three weeks.
• Elective:  You will be notified about an appointment time within six weeks.

How to prepare for your endoscopy appointment

You will receive preparation instructions specific to the type of procedure you are having done. If you do not complete your preparation as instructed, your appointment may be cancelled. 

Colonoscopy 

• Standard Colonoscopy Preparation 
  • Bi-PegLyte Standard 7-Day Preparation
  • CoLyte Standard 7-Day Preparation
  • PICO-SALAX 7-Day Preparation

• Extended Colonoscopy Preparation
  • Bi-PegLyte Extended 7-Day Preparation
  • CoLyte Extended 7-Day Preparation

If you have diabetes, make sure to review the Preparing For Your Colonoscopy: Adjusting Your Diabetes Medication handout.

Bidirectional (Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy)

• Standard Bidirectional (Gastro and Colonoscopy)
  • Bi PegLyte Standard 7-Day Bidirectional Preparation
  • CoLyte Standard 7-Day Bidirectional Preparation

• Extended Bidirectional (Gastro and Colonoscopy)
  • Bi PegLyte Extended 10-Day Bidirectional Preparation
  • CoLyte Extended 10-Day Bidirectional Preparation
  • PICO-SALAX 10-Day Bidirectional Preparation

Gastroscopy 

• Gastroscopy Preparation
• Gastroscopy or Bronchoscopy: Adjusting your Diabetes Medication   

Sigmoidoscopy 

• Sigmoidoscopy Preparation 

Hemorrhoid Banding 

• Hemorrhoid Banding Preparation

Peg Tube 

• Peg Tube Insertion Preparation

Medications and Preparation

If you take blood-thinning medication, speak to the specialist who is doing your procedure to see if you need to stop them and when to restart them after your procedure. After your procedure, resume all other medications as usual unless told otherwise.  

Hospital Appointment and Arrival Information

Hospital Arrival

You must arrive and register in the Admitting Department 60 to 90 minutes before your endoscopy appointment. If your appointment is at 8:00 AM, please arrive and register at 7:00 AM.

Most procedures will take 20 to 30 minutes to perform, and you need to stay 30 minutes to 1 hour after it is over. Plan to be at the hospital for 2 to 3 hours from start to finish.

If you receive sedation medication for your procedure, you are considered impaired for up to 24 hours after the test:

• You should not sign any legal documents.
• You will not be able to drive yourself home. You will need a trusted person to meet you at the Endoscopy Unit. If you do not have a driver, your test will be cancelled. A taxi is acceptable only if a trusted individual is accompanying you.
• You should not drink alcohol or take sleeping pills or anti-anxiety medications.
• You should not be responsible for another person’s care, e.g., a baby, young child, or person in poor health.

Hospital Checklist

• Bring a list of current medications
• Bring a translator if you do not understand or speak English
• Bring a support person if you require assistance
• Bring your PEI Health Card or proof of substitute medical insurance plan
• Bring your ostomy supplies if you have an ostomy
• Do not wear any jewelry (e.g., rings, watches, earrings, bracelets, or necklaces)
• Do not bring any valuables

Contact 

QEH Endoscopy Unit

Ambulatory Care Endoscopy Unit
Queen Elizabeth Hospital 
60 Riverside Dr., Charlottetown
Telephone:  902-894-0055
Email:  EndoscopySchedulersQEH@ihis.org 

PCH Endoscopy Unit

Ambulatory Care Endoscopy Unit
Prince County Hospital 
65 Roy Boates Ave, Summerside
Telephone:  902-432-2541