The demand for a new prep option arose from patients who could not tolerate the high-volume preps, but BMH’s statistical survey has shown that 65 percent of HydroPrep patients are experiencing a colonoscopy for the first time. Sixty-six percent of survey respondents said they chose BMH for colonoscopy because the HydroPrep was offered. The gender ratio is 57 percent female, and 43 percent male.
Barton has also seen an increase in patients scheduling from out of the area.
Many of the remaining patients presenting for the HydroPrep came from the classic group of people dreading and putting off their follow-up colonoscopies, even if they had positive history. Several of these patients did, in fact, have pre-cancerous polyps at the time of their follow-up colonoscopy with the HydroPrep.
There has been one failed HydroPrep since program initiation on a patient who presented with liver disease, on a liver transplant list, and taking Lactulose daily. Lactulose was withheld, along with other medications, and the patient had no response to the oral preps probably due to dependency. Colon hydrotherapy was performed and was tolerated very well, but bowel prep remained inadequate in the right, and portions of the transverse colon. Patient continued a clear liquid diet, repeated oral preps, and colonoscopy was successfully completed the next day.
All colonoscopy preps have the potential to achieve adequate visualization of the colon. Much depends on patient health history and compliance. The Danbury results show advantages with the HydroPrep as far as visual clarity, patient hydration, and comfort, but the bottom line is that patients want it. Barton Memorial Hospital’s patient satisfaction surveys have been overwhelmingly positive.
