Not around here. I've frequently taken neighbors for theirs and I just have to stay till they get checked in, then the hospital calls when it's time to go collect them.

Not the norm here either.

Not here either. I do believe that the hospital we use, drivers are required to stay on the grounds, but not necessarily in the waiting room. You can go to the cafeteria, outdoors, gift shop, etc. When hubby and I have had the procedure, the spouse is allowed to go back and stay in the private area with the patient until he/she is taken to the procedure room. Same thing when they are finished. You can go back and sit with the patient until they are awake, have had something to drink, etc. and ready to go.

It's your first experience? Colonoscopies are recommended beginning at age 50 (and that's someone with no problems/risks). I'm hoping you mean it's just your first experience as a driver.

Our hospital actually has a separate center for colonoscopies, upper scopes and a few other procedures and it's all new and up-to-date. They do so many morning procedures, then another group of GI specialists schedules procedures during the afternoon. I have no idea how many are done in a day. I'm happy to say (SO FAR knock on wood) my husband and I have both had good experiences. The procedure itself is actually the easy part and the prep is so much better than it used to be.

No, that's absolutely not the norm. After all, the procedure takes time and then the patient is in recovery while coming out of anesthesia. No reason whatsoever the driver has to stay in the area.

Your hospital's protocol for waiters is nonsense. With a cell phone, they should be able to reach you with no trouble. If there's the issue of a heart condition or other complications, they could ask you stay near, as in the building. Why don't you let them know that the requirements for you are poorly thought out? Give them feedback. And the place where both DH and I went also had a way too small waiting room. Another item to give the facility feedback on.

I have dropped off and/or picked up DH as well as other friends and have never been expected to stay and wait.

So what would they have done to stop you (or TRY to stop you) from leaving? It's nonsensical and counterproductive to expect drivers to wait for hours without access to food and drink. I would've gone where I wanted to, their "rules" be damned.

I wonder if the reason they want drivers to stay is so the patient can be released as soon as he is ready. Perhaps the office has experienced late pick ups.

That is the norm around my area for non-hospital surgical centers. The driving person cannot leave the center. Sometimes there is a vending machine with snacks, but sometimes not.

But at one hospital where a friend had a similar test in the out-patient surgical center, although they had a waiting room for the drivers and family members, you were able to walk out to the cafe nearby within the hospital.

I've been the driver for patients at my major teaching hospital and our local medical practice. I could come and go as I pleased in both cases.

The is no coffee or snacks available because there are others waiting for the procedure who have to be fasting. Thay are Hungary.

Not at all. I just drop my friend off then go back and get her when they call. That's crazy.

Oh Lars - I am so sorry to hear that! I am sorry for what your brother has gone through, but I hope the procedure will help him live many more years.

Maddielee - that is probably true. At our hospital, they do have coffee/water, etc. but no food (but what hospital department serves food???). It's a short walk to the main hospital where there is a cafeteria, a gift shop (snacks, etc.) and a Starbucks kiosk.

My only experience is with DH at an outpatient facility. I believe I was required to stay, but it was over fairly quickly. I think we were there about two hours. He has one next week, I'll take notes.

I suspect it depends on the colonoscopy. Typical is done with twilight. Deeper they are “under”.

When I had my eye surgery out patient but full anesthesia, my driver couldn’t leave either. Not until I was awake — once I was awake but still not ambulatory, she was permitted to go down the block for my prescriptions (and food)

No but we have ours done at an ambulatory surgery center rather than a hospital. It's a pleasant enough place for waiting around albeit always busy. I think they had coffee and water but I've never had a need to consume anything while I've been there. It usually gets done faster than I expect. Overall I've never left thinking it was an unpleasant burden being the driver and I never felt the need to leave the clinic while DH was having the procedure.

I was able to sit with him before & after the surgery which took quite a while because they heard something abnormal with his heart. Then the EKG, blood work, and lab results. Thankfully he was fine. That took forever because we had to wait for the EKG person and lab results.

Lars, I'm very sorry to hear about your brother and I'm also sorry you think I don't "count my blessings." My DH could die at any time, not sure if you knew that, and for me to stay strong for him I needed a DRINK. You are lecturing the wrong person.

Knowing the drivers aren't allowed to leave and some will be there for hours like myself, I would think the hospital would provide liquids. Liquids are everywhere else in the hospital.

FTR, when the doctor came in to talk to us about what they heard listening to his heart I told him I didn't want DH to get the C unless a cardiologist approved it.

OTOH, they found one "very large" polyp and we won't hear anything for a few more days. That has me worried also but I've learned to compartmentalize things pretty good.

3katz, would it have been an "unpleasant burden" if you were there for hours with nothing to drink?

I can't believe how some of you put words in my mouth.

Oakley, I am sorry that they didnt properly advise you of their policy so that you could be prepared. That is definitely not how it works where my DH and I get ours done. To be deprived of drinks and stuff seems thoughtless, and unnecessary. For some it would have been downright dangerous, e.g. my son is a type 1 diabetic and if he had driven me, and had to wait that long it is very likely he would have needed some carbs due to the unexpected stress of waiting.

Lars- I am very sorry about your brother. But I am also thankful it was detected and he is now going to survive.

I'm pretty sure that the policy wherever we've had to wait on the other is the same as Oakley's so we come prepared. The one out patient center we've used the most has a spacious waiting room and plenty of coin machines.

It's the norm in my area. I have had a colonoscopy and several endoscopies over the years in three different locations and each time my driver was required to remain in the office. Too bad the requirement wasn't conveyed to you in advance. Hope the polyp is nothing to be concerned about.

I took my own liquids with me (and anything else I thought I might need) when I went to the clinic with my brother. If you think that your husband could die at any time, I cannot understand why you would not want to be as close to him as possible, but there must be much more about your situation that I am unaware of, as you said. I am currently not feeling well at all myself right now.

I've recently had a colonoscopy and a few weeks later an Enteroscopy, both at the same large area hospital, and each time my driver dropped me off and provided a cell number; both times she was simply called when I was brought into the recovery area. I think it could be quite an imposition for a driver, - relative, friend or neighbor - to be forced to remain onsite, let alone in the waiting room. Good grief, my daughter had her 5 year old with her and would not have been happy to wait needlessly, especially in a potentially germy area. As it was, they were able to go for their weekly horseback riding lessons, and be back in time for me.

I drove myself there and the had someone come and pick me up when it was over. Someone else drove my car home later on.I had planned on taking transit home but they won't let you do that, have to have a driver.

I’m in the DC/Annapolis area. Just had a C. Based on experience of others, I took Lyft there ( had to be there by 6:30 am) and gave intake the name/# of the person who would be showing up in a couple of hours to take me home. No problem. I was out on my way home less than 2 hours after start of the procedure.

"I was able to sit with him before & after the surgery which took quite a while because they heard something abnormal with his heart. "

I thought this was a colonoscopy, or was he having surgery? If it was a surgical operation then maybe that's why they made you wait. If colonoscopy then no it makes no sense and as others have said I wouldn't have gone without food or drink-can't picture a medical staff physically not allowing you to depart the premises!

Not the norm at my large Chgo academic medical center.

You are more compliant than me. Once cleared for procedure, would have said, "sorry, going to get lunch, will be back in 30 min, here is my cell #." They cannot physically stop you from leaving.

Is this where I say this was a non-issue for me? I drove myself to and fro. But I also skipped the anesthesia. (I know, right? But it was pretty cool watching that scope pass by the occasional wayward bean).

That being said, they should make this expectation explicit in the pre-procedure instructions. Then you can plan accordingly. Your DH May well get a survey by mail or email. You should include this issue as a comment.

Yes Oak, I would be okay for several hours without anything to drink. If I was really suffering I would ask for a glass of water. I don’t think I put any words in your mouth - just related what my experience was like for me.

I had a c four years ago at a smallish local hospital. They just wanted the cell for the person picking up. DH did stay but I can't imagine he didn't go for coffee/food or stroll around a bit just to stretch his legs rather than sit there for a few hours. Besides, they also had a board giving updates for each patient so he knew more or less when he'd be called.

Oakley, you say that this was your first experience in the world of colonoscopies - does this mean that you haven't had one yet??

Oakley, DH has taken me several times. The last time it was very short so there was minimal wait. That was also a fast recovery for me.

Lars, I am sorry to hear.

They might not be able to stop you from leaving, mdln, but they can sure take the patient out of the schedule to come back another day.

I would not be happy with that experience either, Oakley. I took my DH for a colonoscopy last year. It was at a surgical center. They asked for my cell phone number in order to contact me if I left. There was a coffee/tea/cocoa station in the waiting room. I sat for a while but then remembered there was a great furniture consignment shop across the street so I popped over there and poked around.

Last month DH had surgery. This time it was at one of the Yale Medical hospitals in New Haven. Again, they took my cell phone number when we arrived. They send text updates--when surgery has begun, how surgery is proceeding, when surgery is ending and when the surgeon will be out to speak to you. There is also an electronic display outside the waiting rooms that provides this information as well. They then gave me a tour of the caregiver waiting area--pointing out coffee areas, rest rooms, etc. I had a choice of several waiting rooms. One was designated as a "quiet" area--no television and people could not use any devices with volume. Of course I chose this space and what a treat it was.

Although I brought snacks and bottled water, I felt like some real food so ventured up to the cafeteria and had a really nice lunch.

It was the best hospital waiting experience I've had, and think this should be the model! So sorry for your negative experience.

Rhizo, they're not going to yank out the colonoscopy equipment in mid procedure now are they?

I've yet to experience and cannot quite imagine a medical practice in which the reception staff is monitoring closely to determine whether any individual walks out of the room, let alone said staff then confirming it is the driver for patient X so they can bolt out of the office to get to the procedure area and notify the medical practitioner that patient X's ride left the building so Dr needs to stop immediately and reschedule the procedure until the driver is firmly ensconced in a chair in the waiting area for the duration ;)

Not with mine in CT back in 2017.

I got a taxi to drive me there, and they insisted I have a friend pick me up, they wanted his name and cell number as I checked in, so they could call him just before I was done.

That was fine, worked for both of us.

Frankly, if I'd been you, I'd have vanished (tell them the ladies' room, or just stretching the legs, assuming they saw you) briefly, gotten a snack and that coffee, and come back.

Understandably, they don't want the patient to drive home or rely on a taxi/Uber driver to care about the patient should anything go amiss.

maddielee

The is no coffee or snacks available because there are others waiting for the procedure who have to be fasting. Thay are Hungary..

Believe me, I was not remotely hungry when I went in for my own C. People had coffee around me. But after the night's drainage program prior (ahem) the LAST thing I wanted was to consume anything.

People waiting for their relatives can always be sent to a separate room from the intake crowd if that's really a concern.

And since I had to rely on a friend (who had his own busy day) instead of a relative, I'd really hate to have to impose on them to hang out two or more hours twiddling their thumbs on my account.

They not going to yank out the colonoscopy equipment in mid procedure now are they?

From my experience, half the time of the overall visit is before the procedure begins. It is an assembly line process and they prep the patient and then you wait. So your driver would have to time his/her departure. Easier to just bring a sandwich with you once you know.

Oh gosh, I could not wait for coffee and solid food. I try to get my appointments as early as I can get them. Then we come home and DH fixes me breakfast.

DH is the one who got the instructions for his C so I'm wondering if there was a little tidbit of info he read and forgot to tell me,

More than likely this is the case. Had you know the protocol you could have packed a lunch. I had a colonoscopy last week and was dropped off by DH. Upon check in I gave his name and cell phone number and he was called when I was in recovery. I was wheeled down to the lobby for curbside pickup. This is in the Boston area.

Lars, so sorry about your brother. My late father had colorectal cancer and had a colostomy at age 60. He lived to 87 and died of other causes.

DH has had more outpatient test and procedures than I care to count. Each time, the driver had to remain at the facility, but not in the actual waiting room.

DH had unscheduled outpatient eye surgery for a torn retina earlier this week. When he was doing the paperwork the day before the surgery, I had to sign a document saying that I would come with him, stay at the surgical center, and be there to take him home.

Interesting. DH and I always wait for each other. It wouldn't occur to me to leave. That said, where we go is not in our neighborhood.

I have only 4 of these procedures between us. I don't recall it taking hours and hours. We usually try for the first appointment and then have breakfast afterwards.

That is crazy. I have a higher colon cancer risk so I have colonoscopies more often than average, our experience is that they want the driver back in the waiting room before the surgery is expected to end. That way the doctor can easily give the driver an update and they can send you home as soon as you are ready.

Heck my husband with Type 1 Diabetes had disc surgery at the hospital and the surgeon even suggested I leave and return when they expected the surgery to be complete. I elected to stay through the surgery but did leave the waiting room to visit the cafeteria.

I don't understand this at all, and frankly would refuse to help out my neighbors if our hospital had this stupid policy. What if you come by taxi? Does the cab driver have to stay? it makes no sense at all, and I would not do it. I can understand if there's a special reason for the colonoscopy and it's an immediate family member to be there in case it's bad news, but for a routine test?

Do these hospitals make you wait if you drive someone for x-rays or an emg or a cat scan? This is nuts. ETA For my first MRI they told me to take a valium beforehand and have someone drive me, but he sure as heck didn't have to wait around.

Then, Writersblock, you would need to switch to a different gastroenterologist who does his/her procedures at a facility that does not require the patient to have an attendant.

I need to find out from Delilah66 where in Annapolis you can go for this procedure and not have the required attendant.

At Georgetown Hospital, you just need to give them your cell number. I usually wait, but it isn't required.

Thanks, graywings. Around here there's no question of switching to a different facility, so I guess I'll just be happy that our local hospital is reasonable.

Was at the hospital all afternoon yesterday while my dad had surgery. The patient concierge took our cell number and gave us a pager as well, so we could leave the immediate premises (we went elsewhere on property to eat) and could've left the facility if needed.

Oh my!

When I had my C, about 6 years ago??, I drove myself, & went straight to Hardee's afterwards! ;-) GOD I was hungry!!!

DW was working, & I thought nothing of it. I can't remember if they did require someone there?! Must not have I guess! I remember walking out alone.....

Thankfully, there was only 1 teeny item looked at, & was nothing. Don't have to do anything for 10-15yrs they said!

As for other sites on my body......let's just say I'm becoming a Cylon..... ;-) Rotator-Cuff surgery #2 (L shoulder) coming up June 12.

Faron