Merrimack Valley Endoscopy Center
One Parkway Haverhill, MA 01830
978-521-3235
(revised 12-2016)
Instructions
7 days prior to procedure:
Please review and follow all of the instructions you have received regarding the preparation for your procedure at the Merrimack Valley Endoscopy Center.
Follow all of the attached GASTROSCOPY (UPPER ENDOSCOPY) PREP INSTRUCTIONS carefully. Your procedure may be cancelled if you have not followed the instructions.
If you are currently taking a blood thinner such as Coumadin, Plavix, Effient, Pradaxa, Xarelto,
Eliquis or Brilinta, etc., please call the endoscopy center at 978-521-3235 for further instructions.
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:
You must arrange for a ride home with a responsible adult. A taxi or public transportation is allowed, only if accompanied by a responsible adult (this does not include the taxi/bus driver).
Day before your procedure:
Please print out the Health Questionnaire and complete it. You need to bring this with you to your appointment. NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT!
Day of procedure:
You may take your normal medications with only a few sips of water the morning of your procedure.
If you are diabetic and take insulin injections, take only 1/2 of your regular insulin dose
the morning of your procedure.
Please bring your completed Health Questionnaire, your insurance information, a photo ID and a referral from your PCP, 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.
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If you have any questions about your prep or your appointment, please contact the Merrimack Valley
Endoscopy Center. Our telephone number is 978-521-3235 and our hours of operation are 7:00 AM –
4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
If you need to reach us after regular hours, call your physician at 978-521-3235 and the answering service will contact the gastroenterologist on call.
GASTROSCOPY PREP INSTRUCTIONS (revised 12-2016)
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY AT 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 INCLUDE ASPIRIN)
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 necessary to 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 RESPONSIBLE ADULT!
4. Continue taking all daily medications, unless told otherwise by your physician.
THE DAY BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
· Eat and drink normally all day and evening.
NOTHING MORE TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT!
THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE
· Remember-you must have a responsible adult drive you home! A taxi or public transportation is allowed, only if accompanied by a responsible adult! (this does not include the taxi/bus driver).
· Nothing to eat or drink until after the exam.
· If you are diabetic and take insulin injections, please take ½ of your normal morning insulin dose the morning of your procedure. Please check your blood sugar and let the nurse know your level when s/he gets you ready for your procedure.
· You may take your morning medications with a few sips of water the morning of your procedure.
· Please bring your completed, Health Questionnaire with you to your appointment.
· Please bring INSURANCE CARD and REFERRAL from your primary care physician, if needed.
· 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 any valuables at home.
· If English is not your primary language, please arrange to bring along an adult who is able to interpret.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR ARE UNABLE TO KEEP YOUR APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CALL 978-521-3235 Monday - Friday, between the ours of 7:15 am and 4:30 pm.
DIRECTIONS TO THE MERRIMACK VALLEY ENDOSCOPY 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!