Frequently Asked Questions

Your primary care physician or physician specialist must refer you to a specialist at Hoag Advanced Endoscopy Center for a procedure. Be sure to check with you insurance provider to see if Hoag Advanced Endoscopy Center is a participant with your health plan.

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Consult your physician to determine the best test for your symptoms.

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For most procedures, patients will need moderate sedation and in some cases, may require anesthesiology services. All of the GI lab nursing staff receives training in sedation and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Our technicians and support staff are also specialty trained in surgery or gastroenterology.

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To facilitate patient care, pre-registering at least 3 days prior to the scheduled examination is recommended. On the day of the exam, it is recommended that patients arrive 90 minutes prior to their appointment so that clinical staff may review their medical history and medications, start their intravenous (IV) line and perform any other testing as needed.

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If you are having an exam of the esophagus, stomach or small bowel, your physician will explain the prep to you.

If you are having a colonoscopy, patients must also take their colon prep, as instructed by their physician, and notify their physician if they are not passing clear liquid the day of the procedure.

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The entire exam should last about one hour, depending on the complexity of your procedure. All patients receive care in private rooms.

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Patients cannot drive home after their procedure and must have a ride home otherwise the procedure will need to be rescheduled.

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Your gastroenterologist will consult with you and coordinate your appointment with the GI Lab.

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