Endoscopy
Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy is a camera examination of the oesophagus (gullet), the stomach and the duodenum (first part of the intestine). The camera is passed via the mouth while the patient is under sedation. It is sometimes simply referred to as an endoscopy. Gastroscopy is a diagnostic tool that provides valuable information for conditions such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or stomach ulcers.
The most important purpose of a gastroscopy is to obtain tissue samples
- to check for a bacterium (Helicobactor pylori) that resides in the stomach causing overproduction of stomach acid. This bacterium has a special place in the heart of Australian doctors because it was discovered by Nobel Prize winners Dr. Barry Marshall and Dr Robin Warren in Perth back in 1982; or
- to check for food sensitivities conditions such as coeliac disease or lactose intolerance.
Important reminders:
- You do not need any special preparation for gastroscopy. However you will need to be fasted 6 hours prior to the procedure, that is no food or drink 6 hours before your gastroscopy. If you have eaten or drunken within 6 hours, your procedure will be postponed.
- The procedure takes 10-15 minutes to complete.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is a camera examination of the colon. It has become a common and routine procedure since the introduction of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) in 2006. The camera is passed into the rectum via the anus while the patient is under sedation. Colonoscopy is a diagnostic tool that is best suitable for conditions such as haemorrhiods, polyps, bowel cancers and inflammation of the colon.
In suitable patients, simple therapeutic procedures such as banding ligation of haemorrhiods can be performed in the same setting.
Important reminders:
- You will need to follow a special diet and take bowel preparation medicines before the procedure. The quality of your colonoscopy depends on how well the bowel preparation is.
- You will need to be fasted 6 hours prior to the procedure, that is no food or drink 6 hours before your Colonoscopy. If you have eaten or drunken within 6 hours, your procedure will be postponed.
- The procedure takes 20-30 minutes to complete.
Open Access Endoscopy Service (OAES)
Dr Cheng offers open access endoscopy service to eligible private patients to have both consultation and endoscopy on the same day at Sunnybank Private Hospital. This service minimizes the turnover between consultation and endoscopy when the indication for endoscopy is clear. General Practitioners are also welcome to contact us to access this service for their patients.
All referrals are reviewed in advance. Dr Cheng will contact patients before their appointment to confirm their eligibility and go through their list of medications. Patients with complicated medical conditions will be required to attend a consultation ahead of their procedure.
Am I Eligible for OAES ?
- Age between 18-65
- BMI <40
- No serious heart conditions (e.g. unstable angina, pacemaker, defibrillator, artificial heart valves)
- No serious lung conditions (e.g. COPD, sleep apnoea, home oxygen therapy)
- No kidney failure (e.g. dialysis)
- No cirrhosis of liver
- No previous adverse reaction to sedation or anaesthesia
If you have any of the above criteria, a separate consultation with Dr Cheng is required on a different date prior to your endoscopy procedure.
Endoscopy Fees
Dr Cheng offers a “No Gap” service fee for all diagnostic gastroscopy and colonoscopy. However there may be out-of-pocket for hospital excess and anaesthetist’s fee. Please check with your private health insurance by quoting the item numbers listed below:
| Item Numbers | |
| Gastroscopy | 30473 |
| Colonoscopy | 32222, 32223, 32224, 32225, 32226 |
| Removal of Polyp(s) | 32229 |
| Banding Ligation of Haemorrhoids | 32135 |
Sunnybank Private Hospital
Suite 30, Level 2, Sunnybank Specialist Centre
245 McCullough Street, Sunnybank QLD4109
Phone: 07 3518 8626 Fax: 07 3319 6658