MerrimackValleyEndoscopyCenter

One Parkway Haverhill, MA 01830

978-521-3235

(revised 12-2016)

Instructions

7 days prior to procedure:

Pleasereviewand followalloftheinstructionsyouhavereceived regardingthepreparationforyourprocedure at the Merrimack Valley Endoscopy Center.

Follow all of the attached COLONOSCOPY PREP INSTRUCTIONS carefully. Your procedurewillbe cancelledif youarenotproperlyprepped.

If youarecurrentlytaking a blood thinner such as Coumadin,Plavix,Effient, Pradaxa, Xarelto,

Eliquis or Brilinta, etc.,pleasecalltheendoscopy centerat978-521-3235forfurtherinstructions.

If you are currently being treated with antibiotics for an infection; currently have a fever or other cold or flu-like symptoms; or are scheduled for any medical testing for your heart or your breathing, you must call the endoscopy center as soon as possible to reschedule your procedure.

YOUR PROCEDURE WILL BE CANCELLED IF YOU ARE SICK OR HAVE ANY INCOMPLETE CARDIAC OR RESPIRATORY TESTING THAT HAS BEEN ORDERED BY A PHYSICIAN!

2-3 days prior to procedure:

Youmustarrangefora ridehomewitha responsibleadult.Ataxiorpublictransportationisallowed, only if accompaniedbya responsibleadult(thisdoesnotincludethetaxi/busdriver).

Day before your procedure:

No solid foods all day! You will begin your colon prep later today! Please print out the Health Questionnaire and complete it. You need to bring this with you to your appointment.

Day of procedure:

Youmaytake your normalmedicationswithafewsipsofwaterthemorningofyourprocedure.

If youarediabeticandtakeinsulininjections,takeonly1/2ofyourregularinsulindose

the morningofyourprocedure.

Pleasebringyour completed Health Questionnaire,yourinsuranceinformation, a photo ID anda referralfromyourPCP,if necessary. If there is any change in your insurance information after booking your appointment, please notify the endoscopy center as soon as possible.

Dress comfortably and leave valuables at home.

***********************************************************************************

If youhaveanyquestionsaboutyourpreporyourappointment,pleasecontacttheMerrimackValley

EndoscopyCenter.Our telephonenumberis978-521-3235andourhoursof operation are7:00AM–

4:30PM,MondaythroughFriday.

If youareunabletotolerateyourprep,or needtoreachusafterregularhourswhile prepping for your procedure, callyourphysicianat978-521-3235andtheansweringservicewillcontactthe gastroenterologistoncall.

COLONOSCOPY PREP INSTRUCTIONS (revised 12-2016)

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLYAT LEAST 7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR PROCEDURE.

7 DAYS BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

1.IF YOU CURRENTLY TAKE AN ANTICOAGULANT OR BLOOD THINNER, i.e. COUMADIN, PLAVIX, AGGRENOX, etc. AND HAVE NOT ALREADY RECEIVED A CALL FROM A NURSE AT THE ENDOSCOPY CENTER; PLEASE CALL THE ENDOSCOPY CENTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS! 978-521-3235 (THIS DOES NOT INCLUDEASPIRIN)

2.IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY BEING TREATED WITH ANTIBIOTICS FOR AN INFECTION; CURRENTLY HAVE A FEVER OR OTHER COLD OR FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS; OR ARE SCHEDULED FOR ANY CARDIAC, NEUROLOGIC, OR RESPIRATORY TESTING; PLEASE CALL THE ENDOSCOPY CENTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO RESCHEDULE YOUR PROCEDURE! 978-521-3235

3.Make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home 2 to 4 hours after your scheduled appointment. You will be receiving sedation, making it UNSAFE as well as ILLEGAL for you to drive. On the day of your procedure, we’d be happy to call your ride shortly before you’re ready to be discharged. Although most patients are here only 2 hours, please be aware that your stay may be longer due to unpredictable events. Our physicians give each individual patient the time necessaryto perform every procedure completely and safely. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. YOUR PROCEDURE MAY BE CANCELLED IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A RIDE HOME WITH A RESPONSIBLEADULT!

4.IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO KEEP YOUR APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL TO RESCHEDULE MONDAY – FRIDAY, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7:15 am and 4:30pm; 978-521-3235.

5.Continue taking all daily medications, unless told otherwise by yourphysician.

YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR COLONOSCOPY PREP:

  • One 238gm bottle of Miralax (polyethylene glycol)
  • Three 5mg Dulcolax (bisacodyl) tablets
  • 64 oz bottle of Gatorade or enough Crystal Light drink mix to make 64 ozs, (NOT RED OR PURPLE)
  • Plenty of clear liquids, as listed on next page.

(The Miralax and Dulcolax are available at your drugstore and are over-the-counter medications.)

THE DAY BEFORE THE PROCEDURE

NO SOLID FOODS. THE DAY BEFORE YOUR EXAM YOU MUST BE ON A CLEAR LIQUID DIET ALL DAY. NO SOLID FOODS OR DAIRY PRODUCTS ALLOWED.

A clear liquid diet is necessary for a colonoscopy. A complete cleansing of the entire bowel is essential for effective results, so that there will be no need for retesting.

Your Clear Liquid diet options for the day before your procedure:

Tea and Coffee / Clear Juices / Powdered Lemonade / Water/ Vitamin Water / Carbonated Beverages
/ Such as apple or white grape juice
/ / /
NO DAIRY / NO PULP
NO RED OR PURPLE / NO PULP / NO RED OR PURPLE / NO RED OR PURPLE
Sports Drinks / Popsicles/Italian Ices / Jell-O / Broths/Strained Soups
Coconut Water / Honey/Sugar
/
WITHOUT MILK OR ADDED FRUIT /
/ /
NO RED OR PURPLE / NO RED OR PURPLE / NO RED OR ORANGE / NO TOMATO SOUP

It is very important to drink plenty of water and other clear liquids throughout the day in order to avoid dehydration and to flush the bowel (at least 8 oz. every hour)

ON THE DAY BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE:

Mix the entire 238gm bottle of Miralax with the 64 oz. (1/2 gallon) of Gatorade or Crystal Light (not red or purple!) into a pitcher and chill in the refrigerator.

3:00pm- take 3 Dulcolax tablets

5:00pm-7:00pm- drink half (32ozs) of the Miralax/Gatorade mixture; drink four 8oz glasses, one every 15-30 minutes. If you have severe discomfort, nausea, or distention (bloating), stop drinking the solution for a little while, waiting longer between each glass.

This preparation will cause multiple bowel movements, so stay close to a bathroom.

Continue drinking clear liquids throughout the evening to remain hydrated.

10:00pm-midnight – drink the remaining 32 ozs of the Miralax/Gatorade mixture; drink four 8oz glasses, one every 15-30 minutes.

It is very important that you drink all of the laxative solution!

NOTHING MORE TO DRINK (OR EAT) AFTER MIDNIGHT!

DIRECTIONS TO THE MERRIMACK VALLEYENDOSCOPY CENTER

From Points North or East:

Take Route 495 South to Exit 51A (Route 125 S / Main St.). From end of exit ramp travel 1.8 miles; you will go through 6 sets of lights. Just beyond the Pentucket Medical Building (4 story brick complex on your right), take a right onto Parkway. Parking deck is just ahead on your left.

From Points South or West:

Take Route 495 North to Exit 49 (River St.). Take a right at end of exit ramp and travel 2.2 miles; you will go through 2 sets of lights. At the U.S. Post Office (on your right), take a left onto Route 110 (Emerson St.). At the first set of lights, take a right onto Bailey Boulevard and travel 0.2 miles.

Just beyond the Haverhill Police Station (on your right), and just before the Pentucket Medical Building (4 story brick complex), take a right onto Haverhill Place. Go to the end and take a left onto Parkway. Parking deck is just ahead on your right.

Merrimack Valley Endoscopy Center is on the first floor as you enter the Pentucket Medical Building. Please call 978-521-3235 if you have any difficulty finding us!