Pre Admission Clinic

The Pre Admission nurse led clinic (PAC) was established in May 2004 for all patients attending for colonoscopy with their Gastroenterologist at The Digestive Health Centre. This has been expanded to include patients attending for Gastroscopy.

The clinic is staffed by Registered Nurses who are experienced in Gastroenterology nursing, endoscopy and day surgery.

The appointments are scheduled as phone interviews. Face to Face interviews are for selected patients only. E.g. patients requiring an interpreter.

Once a procedure booking is made, the preadmission nurse appointment is also scheduled. The call will occur between 9am and 5pm on a weekday.

The aims of the clinic are to-

Review your previously submitted medical history about general health, suitability, medications history, falls risk and overall fitness.

• Identify higher risk patients and arranging appropriate consultation appointment with endoscopist
• Decrease patient anxiety by providing information relating to the procedure e.g. fasting, medications
• Give the patients the opportunity to ask any questions or express any concerns.
• Commence discharge planning to ensure patient has carer post procedure.
• Provide written instructions for bowel preparation adapted to the individual needs of patient.
• Improve patient outcomes.

At the Pre-Admission appointment you will complete your registration and medical assessment questionnaire.

Form Downloads:

• Pre-Admission Assessment and Registration Form
• Colonoscopy Procedure Information
• CP-005-B053 Prep 1 – Colonoscopy Instructions
• CP-005-B054 Prep 2 – Colonoscopy Instructions
• CP-005-B007 Prep 3 – Colonoscopy Instructions 
• CP-005-B055 Prep 4 – Colonoscopy Instructions
• CP-005-B053A Paediatric Colonoscopy Instructions
• CP-005-B009A Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Instructions
• Gastroscopy Procedure Information
• Risks of Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy
• Discharge Information for Patients and Carers Following Endoscopy

Patients that may require a consultation prior to their procedure are patients who fall into the following categories

• A child under 16 years attending without parent
• Children under 12 years
• Any patient with a BMI over 40
• Diabetics controlled by insulin
• Any patient on injectable weight loss medication e.g. Ozempic, Trulicity
• Patients with unstable medical conditions including heart or lung conditions
• with significant immobility or with difficulty transferring to our beds.
• Patient Taking anticoagulants (blood thinning medications e.g. Warfarin, Plavix) except Aspirin
• Any patient diagnosed with Sleep apnoea with the use of CPAP
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, MS
• Significant immobility
• Difficulty transferring without assistance on and off our beds

Information required prior to your Pre-Admission appointment:

• Current Referral
• Any documents or test results your doctor may have given you
• A list of current medications
• Your Medicare card number and insurance details (if applicable)
• Have completed the patient registration forms or online portal

Important things to note –

The Pre-Admission appointment usually takes 20 minutes.

You can purchase the preparation from The Digestive Health Centre following your PAC appointment for $30. If you prefer you can buy this from your local pharmacy.

You will need to have your PAC appointment at least 4 days prior to your colonoscopy