What this program does…

The Endoscopy Unit at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is a state of the art facility that performs over 11,000 procedures a year. It is staffed by Gastroenterologists, Surgeons, Respirologists and specialized endoscopy nurses. Our team includes dedicated booking clerks, room attendants and cleaning staff, supported by a core group of volunteers.

We provide acute care to both the inpatient and outpatient populations, as well as screening procedures for diagnostic and preventative purposes. 
The Unit is an affiliated Cancer Care Ontario endoscopy site for screening colonoscopies.

The Endoscopy Unit provides a broad range of endoscopic services including:

• Gastroscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography (ERCP)
• Bronchoscopy
• Bronchial Thermoplasty
• Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
• Radial Endobronchial Ultrasound
• Endomucosal resection (EMR)
• Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal Cancer Screening Program / Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)

Colorectal cancer is the most common cause of non-tobacco related cancer deaths in Canadian men and women, accounting for 10% of all cancer deaths.  Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates in Ontario are among the highest in the world.  Screening offers the best opportunity to reduce this burden of disease.  The screening method recommended for men and women 50 years of age and older by the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care is Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) & Flexible Sigmoidoscopy.  Another risk factor is a positive family history of colon cancer.  Patients who present positive family history are eligible for the colon screening program at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. Once referred by the Family Physician into the Colorectal Screening (CRS) Program, a patient can expect to book their screening colonoscopy within 4 weeks. St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is Cancer Care Ontario affiliated FIT positive screening hospital.

CRS Referral Form

Your Care Team

The Endoscopy Unit consists of trained and accredited endoscopists, trained nursing and support staff.

Contact

For more information about this program or Colorectal Cancer Screening Program / the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), please contact us at 905-522-1155 Ext. 34983.

The Endoscopy Unit is located at the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton Charlton Campus, 3rd Floor, Mary Grace Building.

Getting Ready for your Procedure

On the day of your procedure please plan to arrive 1 hour before your scheduled procedure to register and be prepared for your procedure. Plan to be at the hospital 1-3 hours. For your safety and comfort please review the following information.

Preparing for Sedation

You may have sedation during the procedure. It is a mandatory hospital requirement that you must arrange to  have someone accompany you home.  You cannot leave the hospital alone or drive for 24 hours. If you plan to take a taxi home, you still need to have someone with you. Make your plans ahead of time.If you do not have an adult to take you home, your procedure will be done without sedation or will be cancelled.

If you do not have a ride or someone to be at home with you:

There are community programs including the following service: Home Sweet Home can provide you with support to get you home safe after your procedure. Please contact them for more information prior to your procedure.

http://www.homesweetseniors.com/in-home-care-services.html

Getting to the hospital

The Endoscopy Unit is located at the Charlton Campus. Your driver can drop you off at the front of the hospital off Charlton Avenue East. You can park in the Visitors Parking off James Street South and walk to the unit.

If English is not your first language, please bring someone to interpret.

https://www.stjoes.ca/patients-visitors/your-visit-or-stay/parking

Eating and drinking:

Please see attached resources for information on eating and drinking prior to your procedure. It varies depending on what you are having done.

In addition to not eating or drinking you may need to do a bowel prep before your procedure. Please confirm with your doctor prior to your procedure and see the resources below if you need more information.

Medications

Your doctor may want you to stop taking certain medications 4 to 5 days before the test. Contact the doctor doing the procedure at least 1 week before to ask about your medications.

Prepare a list of the current medications you take and any allergies you have. Include herbal products and over the counter medications on your list. You can ask your pharmacist to print a copy of your medication record for you. Bring this list or your medications to your procedure.

What not to bring:

• Valuables
• Money/Credit Cards
• Jewelry
• Please remove all piercings prior to coming to hospital

We ask that you do not bring any valuables with you as the hospital cannot be responsible for lost or stolen personal items. 

After your procedure

• Do not drive, operate machinery, drink wine, beer or alcohol or make major decisions for 24 hours.
• You can go back to work and your normal activities the next day.
• If you had sedation you MUST have someone come to the unit to accompany you home. Please ensure you have appropriate transportation arranged.

If you have any questions, please call the doctor’s office that ordered this test. 
The doctor may or may not tell you the results after the procedure. Most people need to book an appointment with the doctor after the procedure.

Please see these useful resources to help prepare for your visit or procedure:

• Bronchoscopy (Getting Ready) for Outpatients
• Colonoscopy (Getting Ready) for Outpatients
• Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) (Getting Ready)
• Endoscopy (Getting Ready)
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (Getting Ready) for Outpatients
• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (After) for Outpatients
• Gastroscopy (Getting Ready) for Outpatients