I recently had a colonoscopy. I found the procedure itself easy and stress-free (I accepted the sedation I was offered). By contrast, I found the diet and fasting I was asked to follow beforehand both practically and emotionally difficult. This prompted me to query the guidance I was given, to look at the evidence base behind it and whether other hospitals were giving similar guidance.
I found that my hospital’s protocol was different from the European guidelines and there was wide variation between what NHS hospitals asked their patients to do. While some variation between practice in NHS hospitals is normal, and guidance may also be tailored to the needs of individual patients, I haven’t been able to understand the extent of variation in these standard published instructions.
I’m sharing here all the NHS published patient instructions I’ve been able to find, grouped by what they’re asking patients to do.
Findings
European guidelines endorsed by the British Society of Gastroenterology state that patients should follow a low-fibre diet on the day before their colonoscopy. The published NHS instructions I found range from no specified low-fibre diet to restrictions starting seven days before colonoscopy. See the list of hospital policies broken down by length of low-fibre diet.
Are you a professional who can shed light on why hospital policies for colonoscopy bowel preparation vary so much? Please share your views in the comments.
Have you recently had a colonoscopy? How did you experience the dieting and fasting you were asked to do? Please share your experience if you feel comfortable.
Do you have an update or correction to any of the policies I’ve linked to? Please let me know so I can update the page.
This is a comparison of published instructions, not advice to change the preparation prescribed for your own colonoscopy.