Pre-Procedure Information

Many of the procedures performed at the Kohl's GI Nutrition and Diagnostic Center require sedation and specialized pre-procedure preparation, as detailed below. Before your child's procedure, a nurse from the Endoscopy Suite will call and give you detailed instructions for your child's procedure.

Eating and drinking before anesthesia or sedation

Eating and drinking before anesthesia or sedation can cause problems such as choking or vomiting during the procedure.
If the instructions below are not followed, your child’s procedure may be delayed or canceled.
Patients undergoing procedures such as colonoscopy may receive additional pre-procedure instructions beyond what is provided below. These instructions will be communicated to you by the nurse during the pre-procedure call.
Please supervise your child closely to make sure he doesn’t “sneak” food. Check your car and car seats for food that may be within your child’s reach.

No food, milk, drink, candy or gum after 11 p.m. the evening before the procedure, except:

Clear liquids

Your child may only drink water, Pedialyte, clear apple juice or white grape juice until two hours before your arrival time.

Breast milk

Babies younger than 12 months of age on the day of the procedure may be breast-fed until three hours before your arrival time.
Children 12 months or older on the day of the procedure may be breast-fed until 11 p.m. the night before the procedure.

Infant formula

Children younger than 6 months may have formula until four hours before your arrival time.
Children 6- to 12-months-old on the day of procedure may have formula until six hours before your arrival time.
Children 12 months or older may have formula until 11 p.m. the night before the procedure.
Do not add cereal to formula. Do not use formula that has cereal already added.

Other important information

Medications

Please bring all of your child’s medications — in its original containers — with you on the day of the procedure.
Please follow the instructions you were given regarding which medications your child should take on the day of the procedure.

Medications for pain and fever

For two weeks before your child’s procedure: Your child may not have aspirin unless approved by your child’s physician. If your child has been prescribed daily aspirin, please discuss with the prescribing physician.
For three days before your child’s procedure: Your child may not have ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil), naproxen (Aleve or Naprosyn), or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) unless approved by your child’s physician.
Until 11 p.m. the night before the procedure: Your child may have acetaminophen (Tylenol).
If you child has a fever the night before the procedure, you may give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol). Please see instructions below on whom to call if your child becomes ill or has a fever before the procedure.

Nutritional and other supplements

For two weeks before the procedure: Your child may not have any herbal medications, herbal supplements, fish oil or other nutritional supplements.
If your child has any herbal products or nutritional supplements during the two weeks before the procedure, the procedure will be canceled.

The night before the procedure

Bathe your child the night before surgery with soap and water and shampoo his hair. Do not use any lotions, creams or powder after the bath. Use clean pajamas and linen after bathing.
If you were instructed to give your child a clorhexidine (CHG) bath, please remember to follow those instructions closely.

The day of the procedure

Arrive on time: Add 15-30 minutes to your usual travel time for traffic delays and parking.
Who may come with your child: At least one parent or legal guardian must accompany your child. A second adult may also be present. Additional adults and children are not permitted in Kohl's GI Nutrition and Diagnostic Center.
Your other children: Please make arrangements for the care of your other children so that you can focus on the child having the procedure.
Referrals: Bring any referrals you may have for the procedure, anesthesiologist or Hospital.
Bring with you: An empty bottle or sippy cup, and a special toy or clean blanket for your child.
Before arriving at the Hospital or CHOP Care Network Surgical Center: Remove your child’s nail polish, fake nails, jewelry (including any jewelry in piercings), and makeup. Place your child’s long hair in pigtails. For any procedure lasting longer than two hours, remove any braids or beads in your child’s hair. Hair fasteners must be metal-free.
Contact lenses: If your child wears contact lenses, please bring a lens storage case and his or her glasses with you.
Food and drink: Please do not eat or drink in front of your child before the procedure. Your child’s nurse will show you areas where you can eat and drink.

If your child becomes ill or has a fever on the day of the procedure

Please call the location where your child is scheduled to be treated:

CHOP Main Hospital (Philadelphia): 215-590-3326
Exton, PA: 215-590-6203
Bucks County, PA: 215-590-0133
Voorhees, NJ: 856-782-8750

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