Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
The Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, part of the Department of Medicine, offers world-class patient care, research programs, and education and training opportunities.
Gastrointestinal Screening & Diagnostic Services
Compassionate endoscopic care
Contact Us
Digestive Care Procedures at BIDMC
When you have a gastrointestinal (GI) procedure at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston, our goal is to make things easy and convenient for you. Our digestive care team offers the most advanced gastrointestinal care.
Using the latest technology, we provide a full range of outpatient endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopies. Our diagnostic tests and endoscopic treatments allow you to get the care you need to get home and back to your normal routine the same day.
Preparing for Your Gastrointestinal (GI) Procedure
Instructions for Your Exam
Once your procedure is scheduled, we provide you with detailed instructions to prepare for your exam. Your preparation, or prep, is critical. It helps clean your digestive system so doctors get the best possible view.
Specific instructions vary depending on the type of exam you have. Be sure you read through the instructions for your test at least one week before your appointment. Call your gastrointestinal (GI) physician’s office if you have any questions.
The prep instructions below are for specialized GI procedures. Please make sure you read through the instructions at least a week before your appointment and call your GI physician’s office if you have any questions.
Before Your Test
There are some steps that everyone should take, regardless of which test you have.
Insurance Referrals
Make sure you get an insurance referral or authorization for your procedure if your insurance company requires one. If you have questions, please call our office or the customer service number on your insurance card.
If You Might Be Pregnant
If you could be pregnant, please consult your primary care or Ob/Gyn doctor. Your provider can advise you on the best timing for your GI procedure and the best approach to anesthesia and sedation.
Arrange a Ride Home Before the Day of Your Test
Make arrangements to have a family member, friend or responsible adult take you home after your procedure. This is very important because we don’t allow you to drive after the exam.
Your driver must meet you in the procedure area of the GI unit when you’re ready for discharge. If your procedure is at our Boston campus, free 20-minute parking is available.
If you take a cab, use a ride share app or use the MBTA RIDE program, you must have a responsible adult ride home with you (in addition to the driver). We strictly enforce this policy for your safety. We only consider exceptions if you plan to have your procedure without sedation. Discuss this with your doctor in advance.
If you have trouble finding someone to accompany you home, consider contacting your local Council on Aging or Senior Center. Many communities run a volunteer medical escort program, and they can tell you if this option is available in your area. You’ll need to schedule this service in advance.
About Your Medications
If you take medications, follow this guidance:
- If you have diabetes, preparing for a procedure may require some temporary changes in your diet. Please contact the doctor who manages your diabetes for advice regarding any needed changes in your diabetes medicine the day before and the day of your test. If you have an insulin pump, please discuss it with your diabetes doctor before your procedure.
- If you take medications known as GLP-1s for diabetes or weight loss, you need to stop them before your procedure. Your prescriber can offer guidance. Please review our list of medications and detailed instructions.
- If you take a blood-thinning medication or anticoagulant, special instructions may apply. Please call 617-754-8888 if you have not heard from one of our GI nurses about these medications.
- If you take aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) or other pain medications, you may take them as usual.
- If you take iron or a supplement that includes iron, please stop taking it for seven days before having a colonoscopy.
- On the morning of your procedure, you can take any approved daily medications with a small sip of water.
The Day of Your Test
Please arrive one hour before your endoscopy appointment, unless we tell you otherwise. There is on-site parking and a 15-minute drop-off zone. Learn more about BIDMC’s east campus.
Once you reach the procedure unit, a team member will greet you. We'll help you check in and direct you to our waiting area. Someone from our team will then escort you to the admitting area. There, a nurse will review your medications and medical history.
If you are receiving monitored anesthesia for this procedure, a member of the anesthesia team will visit you. We do everything possible to keep your procedure on schedule. Please be aware that unexpected delays are possible.
To prepare you for your exam, we place an IV in your arm. Then, our team will transport you to the procedure room. Before you’re sedated or receive anesthesia, your physician will talk with you about the procedure.
We'll ask you to sign consent forms agreeing to have the test. Once we give you sedation or anesthesia, it takes effect within a few minutes. Feel free to bring a music device with ear buds on the day of your procedure.
After Your Test
After your procedure, you stay in our recovery area for about 30 minutes. A nurse monitors your recovery and goes over discharge instructions before you head home with your driver or a responsible adult.
As you recover from sedation, you shouldn’t go back to work or school, and you should not make any important decisions. If you normally care for children or disabled relatives, be sure to get help with these responsibilities the day of your test. You can resume all activities the next day unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
