EGD Preparation Instructions

Locations:       

  • Endoscopy Center of the North Shore, 1732 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 256-1855, Fax (866)375-3001 Office Directions
  • Evanston G.I. Lab, 2650 Ridge Ave. Suite 1134, Evanston, IL 60201 (847) 570-2236 or (847) 570-2298. Registration/ Covid Testing: 888-364-6400 Evanston Hospital Directions
  • St. Francis G.I Lab, 355 Ridge Ave, Evanston IL 60202 (847) 316- 7338 St. Francis G.I. Lab Directions
  • This is a general copy of the instructions for this prep. Please adhere to the specific instructions that were given to you by your provider.
  • Please reach out to our office for location confirmation and COVID-19 guidelines. A Covid-19 test may be required prior to your procedure, even if you have been fully vaccinated. (We will keep you updated on this as Covid-19 protocols keep changing).

Preparation for EGD requires an empty stomach. You must be fasting prior to the procedure, and some further instructions regarding blood thinners and having a ride. Please see the details listed below in Special Instructions.

A note about oral intake and what “nothing by mouth” means on the day of the test:

    • midnight – stop all intake by mouth except as listed
    • 4 hours – only essential medications with a sip of water. Ideally, take medications after procedure.

  • 6 Days Before
      • Please see instructions below on blood thinners. Each one has a different duration. Talk to your PCP or cardiologist.
      • No elective NSAID’s (Advil, Motrin, Bayer aspirin, Aleve)
      • Send your registration papers back to office
      • Arrange a ride (NO UBERS, BUSES, OR TAXIES.)
      • Arrange COVID testing with the office
  • The Day Before
      • Discontinue metformin-containing diabetes medications
  • Midnight the Night Before:
      • No food of drink after midnight
  • The Day Of: (Between midnight and 4hrs prior to procedure)
      • Only essential medications no less than 4 HOURS before your procedure.
      • Have a ride home (NO UBERS, BUSES, OR TAXI’S.)
      • Please also plan to arrive to your appointment early as shown below (depending on the location, the requirements are different):
          • Endoscopy Center G.I. Lab – 30mins before your appointment time.
          • Evanston Hospital G.I. Lab – 45mins before your appointment time.
          • Ascension St. Francis G.I. Lab – 60mins before your appointment time.
      • Prepare to be picked up one hour after your scheduled start time

A note about anesthesia:

If you have special anesthesia needs, we encourage you to make an office appointment. All procedures done at the office involve the use of propofol and an anesthesiologist. For the hospital, this has to be arranged. You will not be able to drive home because of the use of anesthesia or sedation. (NO UBERS, BUSES, OR TAXIES.)

A note about billing:

You may see charges for consultation or physical exam as
well as the procedure. You may see separate bills from the hospital,
anesthesiologist, and pathologist.

Afterwards: 

Dr. Mehta or Dr. Bianchi will speak to you before you leave and
will generally give you a copy of your actual procedure note.

Special Instructions:

  • If you are on a blood thinner talk to your physician whether it can be discontinued and when. Do not discontinue unless approved by primary doctor, cardiologist, or another prescribing doctor.
  • Do NOT take elective pain medication such as naproxen or ibuprofen for 6 days before your procedure. Aspirin for your heart is OK.
  • Diabetics should NOT take diabetes medicines the day of the procedure, but you should bring these medicines with you. If you take metformin or a metformin-containing diabetes medication, do NOT take it for 24 hours prior to the procedure. If you have brittle diabetes, talk to your primary doctor or endocrinologist regarding glucose management the day before and the day of the test.
  • You should take all your other regular medications every day, including the day of the procedure.
  • Patients with pacemakers or automatic implantable cardiac defibrillators (AICD) must contact the GI lab once the procedure is scheduled. The hospital may require interrogation of your device before and after the test. The office will NOT perform procedures with AICD’s.
  • Should you cancel your procedure for any reason we ask that you notify the office at least 48 hours in advance or a fee will be charged. 

If you have any questions, call the office well in
advance. If you have any urgent issues the night before, you can page the
physician through the office number. You can also check the website for
FAQ’s.                       

Prep & FAQ’s

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