This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition.
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Bronchoscopy
A Guide for Patients

This guide is for patients who are going to have a bronchoscopy. It answers some of the most commonly asked questions. If you have additional questions, talk to your doctor or nurse for more information.

What is a bronchoscopy
A bronchoscopy is a procedure involving the use of a bronchoscope, a lighted, flexible tube about the thickness of a pencil. The doctor will pass the tube through your nose or sometimes your mouth, into the airways of your lungs. The procedure allows examination of the airways for abnormalities. The tube may cause a slight discomfort to your nose and throat and may cause coughing. The doctor may obtain specimens for laboratory study. This procedure will provide your doctor with information to help decide on the best treatment plan for you.

Planning for your procedure
The procedure will take about 30 to 90 minutes, but expect the visit to the Medical Procedures Unit (MPU) to last 2 to 4 hours to allow for preparation and recovery.

Because you will be sedated, you will not be able to drive after the procedure. You MUST arrange for a responsible adult (age 18 years or older) to accompany you from the MPU. Your procedure will not begin until an adult driver is in the unit. Your adult driver should plan to remain in the MPU during your entire visit. The driver must be available for you to be discharged. You may not travel by taxi or bus unless you have a responsible adult to accompany you. You may not walk home after your procedure.

Alert your nurse or doctor if you:

Have glaucoma or myasthenia gravis. This will alert the nurse to adjust your pre-procedure medications.

If you are on any anticoagulant medications (blood thinners), including aspirin, NSAIDS, or Coumadin. Your medication may have to be adjusted or stopped the week before your procedure.

What to eat or drink before your procedure
You may eat your normal diet the day before the procedure. Do not eat any solid food or non-clear liquids for 6 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time. You may drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before your procedure. Take your medications with a few sips of water no later than 4 hours before your appointment. If you are taking pain medication, you may do so up to 4 hours before the procedure.

The day of the procedure
1. Your procedure is scheduled for:

Date                                                                 Time    

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call 734-936-9250, option 1, the day of the appointment or the clinic nurse if you know in advance that you must reschedule.

2. A map guiding you to the MPU in the University Hospital will be given to you, and can also be found at the following web site: http://www.med.umich.edu/maps. If you have questions about your procedure, please call the endoscopy call center at 734-936-9250 option 1 or 888-229-7408.

3. Please bring the following with you on the day of your bronchoscopy:

List of all medications you are taking
List of allergies
Health insurance cards
Your blue University of Michigan hospital card
A responsible adult to (eighteen (18) years of age) accompany you from the endoscopy suite after your procedure.

Your procedure will begin only after the nursing staff has confirmed that you have a responsible adult who will take you home. You will not be discharged until that person is in the unit to escort you from the endoscopy suite. You will not be able to drive for at least 12 hours.

5. Please leave jewelry at home.

6. Small children will be more comfortable at home.

Special information for patients with diabetes
If you take oral diabetes medications (pills): Do not take the medication the morning of your test. Bring your diabetes medication with you. Please refer to the following handout: Instructions for Patients with Diabetes Having Outpatient Procedures/Tests.

If you have diabetes and take insulin, request an early morning appointment. On the morning of your test, do not take any Regular or Humalog insulin. Take only one-half of your usual doses of Lente, NPH, or Novolin 70/30 insulin. Please review the following handout: Instructions for Patients with Diabetes Having Outpatient Procedures/Test.

Procedure details
In the reception area you will answer questions about your health history, current medicines and allergies. The nurse will review the consent form. After you change into a hospital gown, a nurse will start an intravenous line (IV). The IV is used to give you medication to make you more comfortable during the procedure. The procedure is performed in a room specially designed for bronchoscopy procedures. Equipment that will help the nurse and doctor monitor your heartbeat and breathing will be connected to you. Your nose and throat will be numbed with a spray and you will be sedated before the doctor passes the tube through your nose into the airway. You will be able to breathe normally during the test. Medication will be given through the bronchoscope to numb the airways as the doctor examines them. There usually is no pain associated with this test, even if a biopsy is done.

Potential complications
Complications are extremely rare. However, there are potential complications associated with all medical procedures. These will be explained to you at the time you sign your consent for the procedure.

Your doctor
A doctor specially trained in bronchoscopy will perform the procedure. The doctor who ordered your procedure will make decisions regarding your plan of care.

Recovery
After your procedure you will be taken to the recovery area. One adult person may join there, if you wish. Your doctor may order a chest x-ray for you after your procedure before you go home. When you are ready to go home the nurse will discuss discharge instructions and answer your questions. You will be given a summary of findings for your procedure. You may NOT drive yourself home. Be sure to bring a responsible adult, licensed driver with you. You may want a family member or friend to stay with you for the remainder of the day.

At home instructions

Information provided by UMHS Medical Procedures Unit, May 2009