Endoscopy

Endoscopy Procedures at Kent Hospital

Endoscopy procedures are performed in the hospital's state-of-the-art Ambulatory Surgery Center, located adjacent to the Kent Hospital main entrance. The center is equipped with eight surgical suites- five expansive suites and three rooms designed specifically for endoscopic technology. The suites have four state-of-the-art procedure rooms with the latest equipment and are staffed by experienced endoscopy nurses, technicians and assistants. Endoscopic procedures at Kent are by physician referral only. These procedures are performed by board-certified private physician specialists who are credentialed to the Kent Hospital medical staff, and have full access to the Kent Hospital Department of Surgery.

 

Contact Information

Kent Hospital
455 Toll Gate Road
Warwick, RI 02886
P: (401) 737-7000
P: 1 (800) 892-9291

Upper GI Endoscopy

Also known as Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD lets your doctor look inside the esophagus, stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum). It may be done to diagnose swallowing problems, heartburn, indigestion, nausea, bleeding, upper abdominal pain or chest pain. The exam is performed under conscious sedation to relax you and relieve any discomfort.

Preparation

You should not have anything to eat or drink after midnight the night before your exam. Be sure to talk to your physician about taking any of your regular medicines or insulin on the day of the procedure. Some physicians prefer you do not take certain anti-inflammatory medicines, aspirin, or blood thinning medicines for up to one week prior to your exam. Be sure to inform your physician about any medications that you take routinely when booking your procedure. Upon your arrival to the hospital, your nurse will also review this information with you.

Before the procedure, an IV (intravenous line) will be placed in your arm so that sedation can be given. Just prior to the procedure, you may also be given a medicine to gargle, or a spray to numb the throat to prevent gagging. The procedure is usually done using a combination of sedative and pain medicine to provide a moderate degree of sedation. A registered nurse will be with you throughout the exam to monitor your medication and vital signs.

Procedure

The procedure takes approximately 20-30 minutes and is performed in the endoscopy suite at the Kent Outpatient Surgery Unit. Please plan to arrive one hour prior to the time of your exam to allow time for your pre-exam interview and to get your medication started. You should expect to remain for recovery for approximately one hour after the procedure. On the day of the exam, you should arrange for a ride home, and you should not drive for 24 hours. Plan on taking it easy for the rest of the day. Please do not wear jewelry to the hospital. You may wear dentures and hearing aids to the hospital but dentures will be removed for the exam.

During the exam, a thin, flexible, lighted tube with a tiny television lens sends a picture to a TV screen for the physician's viewing. The endoscope will blow some air into the stomach to expand the folds, making it easier for the doctor to see the lining of the organs involved. The physician will be able to see inflammation, ulcers, bleeding, etc.. Small tissue samples called biopsies may be taken for further testing in the hospital laboratory. Any minor bleeding from the exam is controlled through the scope by a cauterization instrument or by medicines.

Complications of EGD are rare but can include perforation (puncture) of the esophageal or stomach lining.