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UPPER G.I. ENDOSCOPY
Upper GI endoscopy is an examination of your esophagus, stomach and first part of your small intestine, using a flexible tube called an endoscope which has a bright light on it. When you arrive at the GI Center, the test will be explained and you will be given an opportunity to ask questions prior to signing an informed consent form. After you change into your gown and robe, the nurse will insert a small intravenous catheter into a vein in your arm and tape it in place to give you medication before and during the test, as needed. You will then have the back of your throat numbed by either a spray or a gargle. This will help prevent gagging. You will then lie on the cushioned table on your left side. When you are comfortable, the doctor will put the tip of the small tube in your mouth, toward the back of your tongue, and ask you to swallow. You will be able to breathe normally, and the nurse will suction any extra saliva or mucus from your mouth during the test, if necessary. You may feel some fullness or perhaps the need to belch. This is expected and is related to the air used to distend the stomach to see it well. Most patients are comfortable enough to fall asleep during the examination. When the exam is over, you will be taken to a recovery room where you will rest for a period of time. Then, the intravenous catheter will be removed from your arm and you may use the bathroom and get dressed. The doctor will then explain the results to you and your family. Page 2
We perform Upper G.I. endoscopy at Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga
Hospital, and Northern GI Endoscopy located at Five Irongate Center,
Glens Falls. Please read the following instructions pertaining to the
appropriate location of your procedure:
Glens Falls Hospital: The Glens Falls scheduling staff will be calling to
pre-register you. If you have not been contacted within 10 days of your
scheduled appointment please call 926-5327. You will need to complete
the Glens Falls Hospital Pre-Admission History and Physical form and
bring it with you to the GI Center on the day of your procedure. You
can print out this form by going into patient forms and click on Glens
Falls Hospital Admission History and Physical. On the day of your
exam, please report directly to the GI Center 45 minutes prior to the time of
your exam, located past the emergency room entrance on the left (east)
side of the hospital around to the back of the hospital. The parking lot
for the GI Center is located on the back (south) side of the hospital
immediately adjacent to the entrance of the GI Center.
Saratoga Hospital: Please call the Registration Desk at 587-3222 on any
weekday before your scheduled exam to pre-register. On the day of your
exam, please report directly to the 2nd floor Day Surgery/Endoscopy area
one hour prior to your appointment. Enter to the right side of the hospital
(ground level, Same Day Surgery, Ambulatory entrance).
Northern GI Endoscopy: You will be contacted by a staff member of
Northern G.I. Endoscopy prior to your procedure to confirm your
appointment and answer any questions that you may have. You will need
to complete the Northern GI Endoscopy Pre-Admission History form
and bring it with you to Northern GI Endoscopy on the day of your
procedure. You can print out this form by going into patient forms
and click on Northern GI Endoscopy Pre-Admission History Form. On
the day of your exam, please report to Northern G.I. Endoscopy, located
directly behind our office at 5 Irongate Center in Glens Falls, one hour prior
to the time of your exam. There are designated parking spaces for
Northern GI patients along the side of the building, near the Pine Street
entrance.

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If you must cancel or reschedule the examination at one of these
locations, please call 793-5034 at the earliest possible time. There are
often significant delays in rescheduling and if there are any questions
re: the need to cancel due to sickness or other health issues, it is
essential that you contact our office or our physician on call (after
hours or on weekends).

Remember, DON’T eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your
examination, if scheduled for 10 A.M. or earlier. If scheduled after this time, clear
liquids only may be ingested until 3 hours prior to your procedure.
PLEASE NOTE:

1. If you are diabetic and receiving oral diabetic agents, please do not take these 2. If you are diabetic and receiving insulin, please discuss this with our office at least seven (7) days prior to your endoscopy. 3. If you are taking Coumadin (warfarin), please discuss this with our office at least 4. If you are taking steroid medications (e.g. Prednisone, Decadron, Medrol), please discuss this with our office at least seven (7) days prior to your endoscopy. 5. If you have had a cardiac valve replacement or a history of endocarditis (infection or inflammation of a heart valve generally requiring prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy), please discuss this with our office at least seven (7) days prior to your endoscopy. 6. Do not take the following medications for a period of seven (7) days prior to your endoscopy; aspirin or aspirin-containing medications (e.g. Anacin, Bufferin, Alka-Seltzer), and iron (including multi vitamins that contain iron). 7. Do not take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s, e.g., Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, Naprosyn, Voltaren, Vioxx, Celebrex, and others) for a period of three (3) days prior to your endoscopy. 8. All other medications including antiplatelet drugs [e.g. Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine), Pletal (cilostazol)] may be continued without change and may be taken up to and including the day of your endoscopy. These may be taken with a clear liquid up until 3 hours prior to your procedure. 9. Since you will be given a sedative for this exam, you must have a
responsible adult take you home and accompany you into your residence.
As well, you must have a responsible adult stay with you for the next 24
hours. You should plan on limiting your activity and resting at home for
the remainder of the day. You must not drive a motor vehicle or operate
machinery for the next 24 hours. If there is a problem with these
arrangements, please inform this office to allow for rescheduling of your
procedure. Sedation for your procedure cannot be administered unless
these arrangements are completed.
10. If you have an insurance plan that requires a referral (MVP, CDPHP, Senior Blue, many others), please be sure our office has a referral from your primary care physician to cover this procedure. If your insurance requires pre-authorization, please be sure our office has obtained this.

Source: http://www.giassociatespc.com/pdf/upper-gi-endo.PDF