Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Center:
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make an initial appointment?
When making a new patient appointment, we ask that you contact your primary care physician first. Your primary care physician will then call our office and set up an appointment for the first available time. It is in the best interest of your child that we have full details of what your primary physician's concerns are. Because there are several Health Insurance Carriers, it is also important that your primary care physician is aware of your visit with us in case a referral is needed. We ask that any testing and/or x-rays that may have been done through your primary physician's office also be forwarded to us; this will reduce the amount of repeat testing. Once the initial appointment has been made, we will be glad to assist you with any schedule changes.
What can I expect at my first visit?
During your first visit with us you will be asked to fill in a history form for your child. The doctor will ask you about your child’s problems. Your child will be examined and all the information your doctor sent will be reviewed. The doctor will discuss further studies and treatment options with you. Because we are part of the University at Buffalo you may see a resident (a doctor training to be a pediatrician) or a fellow (a pediatrician training to be a pediatric gastroenterologist). You will always meet the attending physician and the attending physician will examine your child. You will have time to ask the attending physician any questions you might have.
Will my child experience any pain during his or her procedure?
Procedures such as upper endoscopies and colonoscopies are done under general anesthesia or sedation (as you and your child prefer) in consultation with an anesthesiologist. Some procedures such as a liver biopsy may be done under conscious sedation. There are procedures that do not require any sedation such as rectal suction biopsy and pH probe insertions. The nurse will discuss sedation options with you at the time of scheduling.
What can I expect the day of my procedure as an outpatient?
You or your child will be asked to go to admissions on the day of your scheduled procedure. After a brief stay you will then be asked to go to the V4 Procedure Unit located on the 4th Floor. You will continue with the admission process with the V4 procedure nurses who will orient you to the unit and obtain basic information and routine vital signs. You will have the opportunity to speak with the anesthesiologists and the gastroenterologist prior to your procedure. After the procedure is completed you or your child will go to an adjacent room to recover.. You /Your child will then be taken back to the room where you were admitted and will be discharged once you are able to drink and other discharge criteria are met. The gastroenterologist will speak with you immediately after the procedure. Plan to spend about 3 to 4 hours at Children’s Hospital.
When will I get results...
...after a procedure is done?
Immediately after an endoscopy procedure, the physician will talk to you about what was seen during the endoscopy procedure and may even share pictures with you. The tissue samples taken during the procedure are sent to a lab. A Pediatric Pathologist certified by the American Board of Pathology examines all biopsies. The pathologist writes a report for the chart. In addition, all the Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Pediatric residents and fellows at a weekly conference review each biopsy. At the time of the endoscopy you will be given an appointment to discuss the biopsy results. If the appointment time is inconvenient call our office at 878-7793 so you can reschedule.
...after a pH Probe is done?
You will receive results of your study from the physician who ordered the test. You can contact your doctor 1-2 weeks after the pH probe monitor was returned.
...after labs are drawn?
A nurse practitioner will call with any abnormal lab values when they are received (in approximately 5 business days). You will not be contacted if the laboratory values are normal. If you wish the results call our office at 878-7793 at least 3 business days after the labs were obtained.
How do I get my prescription refilled?
Call 878-7793 for prescription refills. Please allow 2 business days after you've made the phone call to receive your refill request. When calling, please have pertinent information readily available: name, date of birth, medication, dose, pharmacy and pharmacy phone number.
We are traveling a long distance. Do you have a suggestion for where we can stay?
The Ronald McDonald House provides temporary lodging for the immediate family of children under going medical treatment in Buffalo area hospitals. Families living 25 miles or more away are eligible to stay there for a nominal fee of $15 per night. Check out the website at www.rmhbuffalo.org.
How do I get to...
Please see the Clinics page for directions to the Children's 140 Hodge Street Outpatient Clinic, UB office on Sweethome Road the Sterling office site in Orchard Park or use mapquest.com.
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