Open Access Colonoscopy
Jackson, WY Colorectal Cancer Screening
One of the most effective steps you can take in preventing cancer is knowing what tests are available and when you should start making them a regular part of your medical routine. Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States, but one of the most preventable through preliminary screenings. If you are age 45 and up, or have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may be a candidate for a screening colonoscopy. A referral from your doctor is not needed for patients age 45 or older to schedule a screening colonoscopy.
Get a colonoscopy: No referral or pre-op appointment needed. Simply fill out the new open access registration form.
St. John's has an open access process that allows healthy people, age 45 and older, with an average risk for colon cancer to schedule a colonoscopy without the inconvenience of an initial office visit. Fill out the online pre-registration form and one of our nurses will contact you in one week.
What is a Colonoscopy?
A Colonoscopy is a procedure allowing the physician to examine the large intestine. A colonoscope is a lighted, flexible tube, about one half inch in diameter. It is passed from the rectum throughout the entire large intestine to examine for polyps, tumors, inflammation, bleeding, and ulcers. You will receive IV sedation so that you are comfortable.
A colonoscopy may be necessary to diagnose the cause of:
- Blood in stool
- Chronic diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Sudden weight loss
- Colon abnormalities in X-rays
- Rectal bleeding
- Constipation
Biopsies (small pieces of tissue) can and may be obtained during this examination. A pathologist will examine these and send a written report to our office within 7 – 10 days after your procedure. Please note that you may receive a separate bill for the processing of the pathology results, as the pathology department is a separate entity from St. John’s Health.
Complications from this examination are infrequent but may include bleeding, perforation, reaction to medication, heart/lung complication, and other unpredictable events.
Billing Info
If you have billing questions or concerns, please contact our Pre-Services Department at 307-739-7550. If a pre-authorization is not required for your procedure, you may be asked to reach out to your insurance company directly.
Planning for your Colonoscopy
You Will Need a Driver
You will not be able to drive the day of your procedure. You must have a driver available to check you out of the hospital and drive you home. If you cannot find a ride, your procedure will need to be rescheduled. No Driver = No Procedure. >> Follow these day-of instructions.
Know Your Medications
If you take blood thinners such as Aspirin, Coumadin, Plavix, Pradaxa, Eliquis, and Xarelto, please call your prescribing provider to determine if it is safe to stop these medications and, if so, for how many days prior to your procedure. For a reference list of most commonly used blood thinning mediations and the length of time to discontinue them prior to your procedure, please refer to the medication reference guide. >> What to do during the 3 days leading up to your procedure.
Pick Up Your Prep ASAP & Finish Entire Prep
Emptying the contents of your colon is extremely important. If your colon is not totally free of stool, the colonoscopy could be incomplete, and polyps and lesions can be missed. This could also mean you have to repeat the colonoscopy and prep again. >>More on how to properly prep your bowel.
*Prep will be reshelved if not picked up within 7 days of being ordered.
Wyoming Colorectal Screening Program
The Wyoming Cancer Program offers financial help for preventative cancer screening services patients enrolled across the state. Learn more and download the enrollment guide.
Download the enrollment guide PDF
Call 307.739.4931for more information on our colonoscopy service.
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