Planning transport and support after your visit

Arrange your lift home

Choose who will collect you and make sure they know which hospital you are attending. Ask the hospital how pick-up works and how they will contact that person. Have their phone number with you on the day.

Sedation can continue to affect judgement and coordination after a procedure. Arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you. A taxi or rideshare on its own does not provide that support. Check your travel plan with the treating team.

Sources: Australian Society of Anaesthetists: After your anaesthetic

Check where you are going

Procedures take place at Sunshine Coast Day Surgery in Maroochydore. Check the location on your booking before arranging travel. A separate consultation may be somewhere else.

If you are travelling from further away, ask the team whether your return trip and overnight plans are suitable. Check the hospital's current drop-off and collection instructions. Parking, collection times and suitability for long-distance travel need to be checked for your own visit.

Sources: Cura: Sunshine Coast Day Surgery

Arrange help at home

Tell the team if you live alone or cannot arrange an adult to stay with you. Sunshine Coast Day Surgery's patient booklet asks patients who receive sedation or a general anaesthetic to arrange a responsible adult to accompany them home and stay for 24 hours. Confirm the instructions for your own admission with your treating team.

Think about who normally relies on you at home. Arrange help with caring responsibilities if needed, and avoid making work or driving commitments until you have the team's advice. Ask for written instructions about returning to your usual activities.

Sources: Sunshine Coast Day Surgery patient booklet, page 4; Australian Society of Anaesthetists: After your anaesthetic; Queensland Government: Colonoscopy and aftercare

Before leaving the hospital

Ask the staff to go through your discharge instructions with you and, if you agree, the person taking you home. Keep the document somewhere you can reach easily. Check the advice about medicines and activity rather than relying on memory.

• Which symptoms need medical attention?
• Who should I contact during the day and after hours?
• What should the person staying with me know?
• When and how will the findings be discussed?

Sources: Australian Society of Anaesthetists: After your anaesthetic; Queensland Government: Colonoscopy and aftercare

Get help for concerning symptoms

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop severe abdominal pain, persistent rectal bleeding, black tarry bowel motions or fever after colonoscopy. Use the hospital or clinician contact on your discharge instructions. If you cannot reach them and symptoms are concerning, seek urgent medical assessment.

For an emergency, call Triple Zero (000). Do not wait for a routine follow-up appointment or send an online enquiry for urgent symptoms.

Sources: Queensland Government: Colonoscopy and aftercare