7203 A novel preparation for colon cleansing prior to colonoscopy, utilizing dulcolax pills, resulting in effective colon cleansing and higher patient satisfaction, when compared to previous preparations.

Abstract

Aim: A major patient complaint in colonoscopy is the difficulty and discomfort of the current colon cleansing program. Decreased patient satisfaction with these preps lead to a lack of compliance, inadequate examinations and reluctance to schedule initial and follow-up colonoscopies. We studied a unique colon preparation which led to adequate colon cleansing for colonscopy and improved patient satisfaction. Method: 130 patients were prepared for colonoscopy utilizing a preparation which included a one-day liquid diet, 30cc Milk of Magnesia given two nights pre-examination, and Dulcolax 10mg given orally in three doses at two-hour intervals, starting sometime between 12noon and 6PM the day before the examinatiion. Patients were instructed to drink at least three 8 oz glasses of water and as much Gatorade as desired. Patients with significant renal disease, cardiac arrhythmia, other significant cardiac diseases or over the age of 80, were excluded form this study. The patients then underwent standard colonoscopy and the preparations were rated by the examining physician and videotaped to be reevaluated by the nursing director that evening. A questionaire was administered assessing patient satisfaction. If the patient had a previous examination with a different preparation, the patient was asked to choose their preference. Results: Dulcolax/MOM preparation was found to be excellent or good in 125 (96.2%): and 5 (3.8%) were found suboptimal with two patients required to return on another day. In this group, a total of 70 had previous colonoscopy with a different preparation. 57 (81.4%) preferred Dulcolax/MOM; 7 (10%) preferred a Fleet Phospho-Soda/Dulcolax preparation, and 6 (8.5%) preferred a Colyte 1 gallon preparation. Conclusion: The use of a one-day liquid diet with a MOM/Dulcolax preparation was found to be tolerable with high patient satisfaction as compared to previous colon preps, and this preparation provided adequate colon cleansing for colonoscopy. Aim: A major patient complaint in colonoscopy is the difficulty and discomfort of the current colon cleansing program. Decreased patient satisfaction with these preps lead to a lack of compliance, inadequate examinations and reluctance to schedule initial and follow-up colonoscopies. We studied a unique colon preparation which led to adequate colon cleansing for colonscopy and improved patient satisfaction. Method: 130 patients were prepared for colonoscopy utilizing a preparation which included a one-day liquid diet, 30cc Milk of Magnesia given two nights pre-examination, and Dulcolax 10mg given orally in three doses at two-hour intervals, starting sometime between 12noon and 6PM the day before the examinatiion. Patients were instructed to drink at least three 8 oz glasses of water and as much Gatorade as desired. Patients with significant renal disease, cardiac arrhythmia, other significant cardiac diseases or over the age of 80, were excluded form this study. The patients then underwent standard colonoscopy and the preparations were rated by the examining physician and videotaped to be reevaluated by the nursing director that evening. A questionaire was administered assessing patient satisfaction. If the patient had a previous examination with a different preparation, the patient was asked to choose their preference. Results: Dulcolax/MOM preparation was found to be excellent or good in 125 (96.2%): and 5 (3.8%) were found suboptimal with two patients required to return on another day. In this group, a total of 70 had previous colonoscopy with a different preparation. 57 (81.4%) preferred Dulcolax/MOM; 7 (10%) preferred a Fleet Phospho-Soda/Dulcolax preparation, and 6 (8.5%) preferred a Colyte 1 gallon preparation. Conclusion: The use of a one-day liquid diet with a MOM/Dulcolax preparation was found to be tolerable with high patient satisfaction as compared to previous colon preps, and this preparation provided adequate colon cleansing for colonoscopy.