Gastroscopy & Colonoscopy (Pico-Salax)
at St. Joseph's Hospital
LOCATION: 50 Charlton Ave E, Hamilton, ON L8N 4A6
Endoscopy Unit - 3rd Floor of the MARY GRACE wing
DATE & TIME: Please note the date and check-in time given to you by one of our receptionists.
Please call Dr. Fergani’s office at least 2 days prior to confirm your procedure:
905-297-8434
- Blood Thinners: If you are taking blood thinners, follow the instructions given to you by Dr. Fergani during your consultation.
- Iron Products: Stop taking iron supplements 5 days before your scope.
REMINDER: YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A RIDE HOME.
YOU WILL BE AT THE HOSPITAL FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 HOURS.
YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
It is preferred that your driver stays in the hospital during the duration of your appointment. If they are unable to stay for the appointment, a staff member will call your driver when you are ready to be picked up. Your driver MUST come up to the Endoscopy Unit to pick you up. You cannot leave the unit by yourself. If you are taking a taxi/Uber/Lyft, someone still has to ride with you.
If you were given the PICO-SALAX Rx, please follow the instructions below:
** THE DAY BEFORE YOUR GASTROSCOPY & COLONOSCOPY: **
- Have breakfast as usual the DAY BEFORE your procedure. This will be your last meal until after your procedure is done.
- After Breakfast:
Stay on a clear fluid diet. (eg: apple juice, clear sodas, clear broth, clear Gatorade).
- At 2:00 PM:
Take the 2 Dulcolax tablets (generic name: Bisacodyl). You may have 2 tablets remaining.
- At 5:00 PM:
Mix one sachet of PICO-SALAX with 5oz (150ml) cold water and stir frequently for 2 to 3 minutes. Finish the solution and then drink a minimum of 4 glasses of clear fluids. You can drink 1 glass every 30 minutes. You are encouraged to continue drinking clear fluids.
** THE DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE: ** (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
- 6 Hours BEFORE your check-in time:
Mix the second sachet of PICO-SALAX with 5oz (150ml) cold water and stir frequently for 2 to 3 minutes. Finish the solution and then drink a minimum of 4 glasses of clear fluids. Try to finish all of these fluids within 1-2 hours maximum.
- You MUST be fasting a MINIMUM of 4 HOURS BEFORE your check-in time!
*NOTE: Doing the second sachet of the PICO-SALAX the day of your procedure means you may have to wake up very early!
For example: Your procedure arrival time is at 10:00 a.m. You must be up around 4:00 am to do the second sachet of Pico-Salax. You will complete drinking all the required fluids in 1-2 hours. By 6:00 am you should have finished all fluids and be completely fasting.
