Endoscopy

3. ESWL
ESWL stands for Extra-Corporeal Shock-wave Lithotripsy. This means that shock-waves are produced from outside the body and are directed at a stone in the urinary tract in an attempt to break it into small fragments that should eventually pass out with the urine.

4. BRONCHOSCOPY
This procedure allows for the viewing of the bronchi and the lungs from the oral or nasal route. The tip of the bronchoscope is passed either through the nose or mouth through the bronchi to the lungs.

5. ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (ECG)
An ECG is a test done to detect any abnormalities of the heart and conduction system.
For an ECG to be performed, you will need to expose your chest as the staff attach you to the ECG machine. The test will take approximately five minutes as you lie on your back.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to be admitted for the procedure?
No you don not have to be admitted. About 75% of patients come to the unit as outpatients.

Should I eat before the procedure?
You will need to fast from the midnight before the procedure or for at least six hours before the procedure. However, ECG patients do not need to fast.

Do I need to be sedated for the procedure?
This will be your choice; some patients have a higher threshold for pain while others require sedation for the procedure. Please discuss this issue with both the nurses and the doctor before the procedure.

What should you expect?
When you come to the department, before the procedure, a doctor will explain the procedure to you and will usually ask you to sign a consent form. This is to ensure that you understand the procedure and its implications.

Please tell the nurse or doctor if you have any allergies or bad reactions to any drugs or other procedures. They will also want to know about any previous similar procedure you may have had. If you have any worries or questions at this stage, do not be afraid to ask. The staff will want you to be as relaxed as possible for the procedure and will not mind answering your questions. 

You will be asked to put on a hospital gown for all procedures except ECG. It will be necessary for you to remove any false teeth, contact lenses and in some cases your jewelry, these will be kept safely for you until after the procedure.

What happens after the procedure?
Immediately after the procedure (except ECG) you will be required to rest in the unit for some time. Sedatives take time to wear off, and the nurses will want to ensure that you are fully awake before discharging you.

If you are going home after the procedure, it is essential that another adult accompanies you. Once at home, it is important to rest quietly for the rest of the day. Sedation lasts longer than you think, so if you have been given an injection during the examination, you should not:

When do I know the results of my procedure?
In many cases the doctor will be able to tell you the results straight after the procedure or if you had been sedated, as soon as you are awake. However if a sample tissue (biopsy) has been taken for examination the result may take several days.

It is a good idea to have someone with you when you speak to the doctor after the procedure if sedation has been used. People often find they forget everything that has been said to them and many do not remember having the procedure at all.

Details of the results and any necessary treatment should be discussed either with your general practitioner, hospital specialist or whoever recommended you to have the procedure.

BOOKINGS
All patients are booked through a Doctor’s referral. Your doctor will make the booking for you. However, booking is not required for Electrocardiograms (ECG’s).

PAYMENTS