The patient lies supine on a comfortable table while purified water flows slowly into the colon with the assistance of an endoscopy nurse certified in colon hydrotherapy. Flow, temperature and pressure are monitored while the nurse practices specialized technique and patient care. Water and waste are released when the large intestine is full or pressure indicates. This process is repeated four to five times during the approximate 45-minute treatment.6 Cleaning the equipment is straightforward, and done according to manufacturer instructions.
The HydroPrep evolved at Barton Memorial from the need to offer patients a new option of bowel prep for colonoscopy due to intolerance of the high-volume preps. BMH was witnessing a cancellation rate of five percent due to this situation. Patients experienced excessive vomiting, dehydration, or inability to consume all the volume required to continue and keep their colonoscopy appointment, setting up the potential for a missed cancer.
Barton Memorial Hospital’s gastroenterology department coincidentally had a nurse experienced in colon hydrotherapy. She was certified through the Shea International School of Colon Hydrotherapy, and subsequently owned and operated a colon hydrotherapy business for four years. With data from the Danbury study, assistance from Dotolo Research, Inc., and a nurse certified in colon hydrotherapy, a plan for the new service was implemented in February 2011.
The HydroPrep became an instant success and patient cancellations dropped dramatically. Through word-of-mouth and local advertisement, colonoscopy with the HydroPrep booked six weeks in advance, six months after its inception. Three additional endoscopy nurses were certified in colon hydrotherapy during this time through a program offered by More Alive Now, LLC, an approved provider by the California Board of Nursing and Dotolo Research, Inc.
