Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a procedure that allows viewing the inside of an organ such as the stomach and bowel. A thin flexible tube with a camera attached is inserted in a natural opening (mouth, anus) to reach the organ to examine. The images are transmitted on a screen.
Endoscopy is used to diagnose inflammations, tumours, polyps and cancers. The procedure can also be used to remove a small tumour or perform a biopsy. There are several types of endoscopic procedures, each with a specific name.

  • A colon examination is a colonoscopy.
  • The esophagus or stomach examination is a gastroscopy.

Endoscopy procedures are provided by Perioperative Services.

How to access our services?

You must have a referral from your physician to book an appointment with a surgeon from HGH Ambulatory Clinics.

About The Program

Before your appointment

  1. You physician will send an endoscopy consultation request with a surgeon.
  2. After the initial consultation with the surgeon, if you do need the procedure, we will call you to confirm the date of your endoscopy. It could take from 8 to 26 weeks before we call you.
  3. The wait time for your endoscopy will depend on the priority code assigned to your case. Urgent cases are treated first. For the most recent information on surgical and diagnostic imaging wait times in Ontario hospitals, visit Wait Times Ontario.

When you arrive

  • Please register at the self-service kiosk in the main entrance 60 minutes before your scheduled exam.

What to bring

  • Valid Health Card
  • List of all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal medicines

Preparation and procedure

  • You must be fasting before the endoscopy. Depending on the type of examination, you may need to take a bowel preparation. You will receive instructions specific to your condition before the procedure.
  • For general information to prepare for surgery, please visit Perioperative Services.
  • The procedure takes from 15 to 30 minutes, but you will spend from 2 to 3 hours in the hospital when including registration and recovery time.

Test results

  • The surgeon will give you the preliminary results of the procedure. He will also send a report to your physician.

Preparation for a colonoscopy with Pico-Salax

Download a copy of the Preparation for a Colonoscopy with Pico-Salax (PDF)

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is an examination that allows the doctor to see the inner lining of your intestines, including the rectum (anus) and the colon (large intestine). The doctor uses a flexible tube called a colonoscope to do this test.

A colonoscopy allows the doctor to diagnose a health problem and determine an appropriate treatment. If necessary, a small sample of tissue may be taken for laboratory analysis. This is called a biopsy.

The examination helps to find the causes and treat problems related to:

  • Bleeding
  • Anemia
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Intestinal cancer or polyps
  • Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Narrowing of the colon

Why must you prepare for a colonoscopy?

Your bowels must be empty in order for your physician to clearly see the bowel lining during the exam. The quality of your preparation directly influences the quality of your exam.

  • A good preparation will ensure more accurate results. The doctor may not be able to see polyps or cancer because of an incomplete preparation.
  • Your exam may be cancelled or you may have to retake it if your preparation is inadequate.

How to cancel or reschedule your appointment?

To cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call 613-632-1111 extension 72504 at least 5 business days in advance.

How to prepare for a colonoscopy with Pico-Salax?

You must follow all preparation instructions carefully. If you are taking any medications (prescription, over-the-counter or herbal) or vitamins and supplements, ask the specialist who will be performing the colonoscopy if you should stop taking them for a period of time before the procedure or continue as usual.

Preparation for a colonoscopy with PEG 4 L

Download a copy of the Preparation for a Colonoscopy with PEG 4L (PDF)

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is an examination that allows the doctor to see the inner lining of your intestines, including the rectum (anus) and the colon (large intestine). The doctor uses a flexible tube called a colonoscope to do this test.

A colonoscopy allows the doctor to diagnose a health problem and determine an appropriate treatment. If necessary, a small sample of tissue may be taken for laboratory analysis. This is called a biopsy.

The examination helps to find the causes and treat problems related to:

  • Bleeding
  • Anemia
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Intestinal cancer or polyps
  • Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Narrowing of the colon

Why must you prepare for a colonoscopy?

Your bowels must be empty in order for your physician to clearly see the bowel lining during the exam. The quality of your preparation directly influences the quality of your exam.

  • A good preparation will ensure more accurate results. The doctor may not be able to see polyps or cancer because of an incomplete preparation.
  • Your exam may be cancelled or you may have to retake it if your preparation is inadequate.

How to cancel or reschedule your appointment?

To cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call 613-632-1111 extension 72504 at least 5 business days in advance.

How to prepare for a colonoscopy with PEG 4 L?

You must follow all preparation instructions carefully. If you are taking any medications (prescription, over-the-counter or herbal) or vitamins and supplements, ask the specialist who will be performing the colonoscopy if you should stop taking them for a period of time before the procedure or continue as usual.

Preparation for a colonoscopy with Peglyte 2 L

Download a copy of the Preparation for a Colonoscopy with Peglyte 2 L (PDF)

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is an examination that allows the doctor to see the inner lining of your intestines, including the rectum (anus) and the colon (large intestine). The doctor uses a flexible tube called a colonoscope to do this test.

A colonoscopy allows the doctor to diagnose a health problem and determine an appropriate treatment. If necessary, a small sample of tissue may be taken for laboratory analysis. This is called a biopsy.

The examination helps to find the causes and treat problems related to:

  • Bleeding
  • Anemia
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Intestinal cancer or polyps
  • Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Narrowing of the colon

Why must you prepare for a colonoscopy?

Your bowels must be empty in order for your physician to clearly see the bowel lining during the exam. The quality of your preparation directly influences the quality of your exam.

  • A good preparation will ensure more accurate results. The doctor may not be able to see polyps or cancer because of an incomplete preparation.
  • Your exam may be cancelled or you may have to retake it if your preparation is inadequate.

How to cancel or reschedule your appointment?

To cancel or reschedule your appointment, please call 613-632-1111 extension 72504 at least 5 business days in advance.

How to prepare for a colonoscopy with Peglyte 2 L?

You must follow all preparation instructions carefully. If you are taking any medications (prescription, over-the-counter or herbal) or vitamins and supplements, ask the specialist who will be performing the colonoscopy if you should stop taking them for a period of time before the procedure or continue as usual.

Business hours

Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Telephone

613-632-1111, option 1 (Appointments), then option 3 (Perioperative Services)

Toll-free: 1-800-790-8870, option 3 (Perioperative Services), then option 2 (Endoscopy)

Fax

613-636-6221

Address

HGH – Main Campus
1111 Ghislain Street
Hawkesbury, ON K6A 3G5

The Endoscopy Unit and Perioperative Services are located in Block C, level 1. View the hospital plan.

Regional Endoscopy Central Intake Program

The Regional Endoscopy Central Intake Program went live with Montfort Hospital and Queensway Carleton Hospital on June 20, 2023 and The Ottawa Hospital and Hawkesbury General Hospital on June 27th. Therefore, all referrals for cancer screening-related colonoscopy are now being triaged by this program.

Please fax your referrals to Central Intake at 1-855-702-1967 including all required documents to ensure efficient and timely triage. If your office uses Ocean, you can also refer through Ocean eReferral.

All referrals must include:

  • Cumulative patient profile (CPP)
  • Operative and pathology reports for patients with previous colonoscopy
  • Information regarding first degree relative and age when diagnosed with colon cancer for screening colonoscopy
  • Result of abnormal FIT for FIT+ referrals

For more information, please download the information sheet about the Champlain Endoscopy Central Intake Program (PDF).

Referring a patient for endoscopy at HGH

To refer a patient, please download, fill out and fax the endoscopy consultation request form to 613-636-6221.

Appointment booking line: 1-800-790-8870, extension 82504

 

The Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) provides more than 40 specialized medical clinics for residents of Prescott-Russell and surrounding region. For a list of clinics, departments and services, visit Refer a patient.