Open Access Colonoscopy

Direct Referral for Screening Colonoscopy

This program allows patients to be scheduled directly for a screening colonoscopy without an office consultation.  This is intended to be available for patients that do not have any particular symptoms that need to be addressed prior to undergoing endoscopic examinations.   The expectation is that most patients will have their procedure within 2-3 weeks from the time your office submits the procedure request form to our scheduling department.

Prior to the procedure, the patient will be asked to come to our office to watch a brief video on colonoscopy, review the consent form with a nurse, and obtain prep instructions when scheduling the exact date of the examination.  Alternatively, if the pateint desires to come by the office on the same day you are seeing the patient in your office, simply instruct the patient to arrive at our office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.  

Patients who meet exclusion criteria per the procedure request form or those with gastrointestinal symptoms that either you or the patient desire evaluation and management of should be referred to be seen in the office where more time and attention can be spent going over these specific issues or concerns.  We trust that this expedited process to schedule their routine screening colonoscopy will provide improved service for your patients.

Indications

• screening for malignant neoplasm, average risk - age 50 or above
  
• family history of colon cancer or adenomatous polyp(s):
  • in at least one 1st degree relative or two 2nd degree relatives and patient is age 40 or 10 years before index case
    
• follow-up on personal history of colon polyp(s) or cancer
  
• heme positive stool
  
• polyp on flexible sigmoidoscopy
  
• iron deficiency anemia
  
• abnormal enema
  
• rectal bleeding - age 40 or above
  

Exclusions

• age greater than 84
  
• use of coumadin, heparin, or lovenox
  
• multiple or unstable comorbidities
  
• lung disease that is steroid/oxygen dependent
  
• unstable heart disease
  
• prosthetic heart valve, history of endocarditis, systemic pulmonary shunt or synthetic vascular graft less than 1 yr old or any other indication for antibiotic prophylaxis prior to an endoscopic procedure
  
• cardiac defibrillator