Colonoscopy & Open Access Colonoscopy
What You Should Know About a Colonoscopy
How is a Colonoscopy Performed?
One day prior to the procedure, patients must complete a bowel “prep”—a prescribed preparation consisting of liquids and/or pills that will cleanse the bowels of stool and other residue. This allows for complete visualization of the bowel surface during the procedure. Your doctor will most likely give you a list of dietary and medication restrictions to adhere to in the days leading up to the procedure. The most important part of the procedure is your completion of the cleansing process as requested by your physician. If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to discuss your concerns with your physician before the day of the procedure.
During the colonoscopy, most patients receive intravenous sedation. One or more medications are administered to help patients remain comfortable for the duration of the procedure. The colonoscope, a long, thin, flexible instrument with a camera that provides magnified views of the colon and rectum, is inserted via the rectum and advanced to the first portion of the colon, where it is connected to the end of the small intestine. Any polyps or other abnormalities encountered during the colonoscopy will be removed and/or biopsied and sent to a laboratory for analysis. For most patients, the entire procedure takes around thirty minutes to complete.
Post Colonoscopy
After the colonoscopy is completed, some patients may experience slight discomfort in the form of abdominal cramping and “gas pains,” though this quickly resolves by passing any gas/air that was insufflated during the procedure. In many cases, patients do not recall specifics of the procedure itself due to the sedation. It is always important to have the individual who will be taking you home be there to discuss the discharge instructions with the physician and nurse before discharge.
Following a colonoscopy, patients usually resume their regular diet. Resumption of your pre-procedure medications will be determined by your physician. Some restrictions for driving and activity levels apply when intravenous sedation medications are given to sedate patients immediately prior to colonoscopy. These medications affect judgment and coordination for variable amounts of time following the procedure. Most patients are able to resume normal activity the morning following the colonoscopy.
Open Access Colonoscopy Program
Colonoscopies are easy to postpone, but screening is extremely important. Our office offers a patient-centered, hassle-free Open Access Colonoscopy Program, which is designed to provide you with the convenience of scheduling your colonoscopy without the additional wait of an office consultation. This saves you time and money while still maintaining your access to the highest-quality physicians. Specific criteria must be met based on individual medical and surgical means.
Open Access Colonoscopy
Colon cancer screening is crucial, we know it is easy to put off a screening colonoscopy, but a colonoscopy is a highly effective, potentially life-saving procedure. Not only does a colonoscopy screen for colorectal cancer, it is one of the few truly preventative exams for a common cancer, by finding and removing polyps before they become cancerous.
That is why Connecticut Colon & Rectal Surgery, LLC offers an Open Access Colonoscopy option to qualifying patients. With this program, you will not need a separate office visit before the procedure, saving you both time and money while still maintaining your access to the highest quality of care. Let us help you take a step toward better health with our easy and accessible colonoscopy program.
The American Cancer Society's new guidelines recommend that colorectal cancer screenings begin at age 45.
What is an Open Access Colonoscopy?
An Open Access Colonoscopy is a colonoscopy procedure that does not require the patient to have an office visit with their physician at Connecticut Colon & Rectal Surgery, LLC prior to their procedure. The exchange of all needed information is done by completely and accurately filling out a questionnaire. This saves the patient both time and the expense of an office visit. The goal at Connecticut Colon & Rectal Surgery, LLC is to make this procedure as accessible and affordable as possible to qualifying patients in order to encourage a higher participation rate.
Who qualifies for Open Access Colonoscopy?
An Open Access Colonoscopy is an option for patients who are at average risk for colon cancer. You may be eligible for an Open Access Colonoscopy if you meet the following criteria:
- Men and women ages 45 to 74 without a personal history of colon cancer.
- Men and women ages 45 to 74 with a family history of colon cancer.
- No personal history of heart, lung, or breathing conditions.
- No recent history of digestive symptoms, such as abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea.
- No changes in bowel habits.
- No rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
- Not taking blood thinners.
Open Access Colonoscopy is not always the best choice for everyone. If you have any of the following conditions, you will need to schedule an office visit before proceeding with the procedure:
- Major illnesses such as poorly controlled diabetes, significant cardiac disease, or severe breathing or kidney problems.
- Underlying abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, or any other gastrointestinal issues.
If you’re not a candidate for Open Access Colonoscopy, don’t worry. We’ll help you find the best way to get the procedure done.
How do I schedule an Open Access Colonoscopy?
Scheduling an Open Access Colonoscopy with Connecticut Colon & Rectal Surgery, LLC is easy. No prior office visit is required for those who meet the criteria. If you’re in good health and wish to proceed with scheduling your colonoscopy, please follow these steps:
Fill out the Open Access Colonoscopy Questionnaire located under the Patient Center tab in the Patient Forms section. You can also click the button below to access it.
Ensure that the questionnaire is filled out completely and accurately.
Provide a copy of all your insurance cards (front and back).
Once the form is complete, submit it to our office via postal mail or fax. After we receive your forms, one of our physicians will review your records. Please allow three business days for this process.
- If you qualify for Open Access Colonoscopy, our office staff will contact you to schedule your procedure.
- If you do not qualify, our staff will contact you to schedule an office visit with one of our highly-skilled providers to address your needs.
We are here to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have about the Open Access Colonoscopy.
Stop Postponing
Don’t put off your colon screening any longer. Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death, but it’s preventable through early detection. That’s why we offer our Open Access Colonoscopy Program. With this patient-centered, hassle-free approach, you’ll be scheduled, educated, and screened without the additional office visit, saving you time and money. Catching colon cancer early can save your life, so please call our office at 860-854-3505 or request an appointment online.
