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Colonoscopy

Name: Kootenai Health
Price range: $

Also Known As: Colon Cancer Screening

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You’ve probably been meaning to schedule this.

Most people don’t have symptoms before colon cancer develops. That’s exactly why screening matters. Starting at age 45, a colonoscopy gives your team a picture of what’s happening and the ability to remove precancerous polyps before they have a chance to progress. How carefully that exam is performed matters—and our team’s higher than average detection rates reflect that, affecting what’s found and when.

We make it easier to get this done. Many patients can schedule without a referral, so you can take care of this without extra steps. You’ll have prep options to choose from, based on what fits your routine. During the procedure, we use techniques like Propofol sedation and carbon dioxide insufflation—these may not be words you hear every day, but they're how we reduce discomfort and support your recovery.

Scheduling your colonoscopy is one of the most concrete things you can do for your long-term health. We’re here to make sure the hardest part is just getting it on your calendar.

Exceptional Polyp Detection Rates

2.5x the national benchmark

Adenoma detection rate reflects how often precancerous growths are found during colonoscopy. Ours is more than double the national benchmark of 25%.

Self-Referral Available

Schedule your screening on your timeline

Qualified patients can book a colonoscopy directly without a referral. It's one less barrier between you and access to preventive care.

Multiple Prep Options

Better prep, better results

The most effective prep is one you can stick with. We offer options based on your preferences, helping you complete it fully for a clearer, more accurate exam.

A lot of people put this one off. We get it.

Getting your colonoscopy done is what matters. You can schedule it here, without extra steps.

What to Expect

Knowing what happens before, during, and after your procedure takes the uncertainty out of it. Your care team will walk you through the details when you schedule—but here's an overview of what to expect.

Before Your Procedure

Tour

Day of Procedure

After Your Procedure

Prep Options That Fit Your Routine
When you schedule, you'll receive preparation instructions that typically include diet changes in the day or two before and pausing certain medications. There are several prep options available, including prescription, over-the-counter, low-volume, and tablet-based approaches.

The most effective prep is the one you’ll complete. Your care team can help you choose the option that works best for you.

Preparation Forms

You’ll need to arrange to have a driver accompany you due to sedation.

When you arrive, you'll check in and be taken to a preparation area where you'll change into a gown and have an IV placed. The procedure itself lasts 30-60 minutes, and patients should expect to be with us for 90-120 minutes start to finish. Before the procedure begins, you'll meet with your provider and anesthesia team so you know exactly who's caring for you and what to expect.

Privacy and comfort are taken seriously throughout. Only the staff necessary for your care are present, and you'll be kept covered as much as possible.

During the Procedure

You’ll receive sedation to help you stay comfortable. Most patients do not feel discomfort or remember the procedure.

Your provider will examine the lining of your colon and, if needed, remove polyps or take small tissue samples for testing.

Resource

What to Expect During Your Procedure

Before You Leave

After the procedure, you'll spend 30 to 60 minutes in recovery while the sedation wears off. Before you're discharged, your provider will review the procedure findings with you directly. Your nursing team will then walk through discharge instructions — what to expect in the hours ahead, which symptoms are normal, and what would warrant a call to the care team.

Because of sedation, your driver will transport you home. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

Getting Your Results

Final pathology results are typically available within three to five days. As soon as results are processed and your provider has reviewed and interpreted them, they're available to you through MyChart — where two-way communication means you can ask questions directly without waiting for a callback.

If you don't have MyChart or haven't seen your results, a nurse will call to walk you through the findings and your provider's recommendations

→ Learn more about MyChart

After Discharge

The day following your procedure, our nursing staff will call to check in on you and answer any questions or concerns you might have.

Need Help?

MyChart Patient Portal

View test results and medical history anytime.

Need Portal Setup Help?

Check out MyChart Getting Started Guide or ask our nurses or front office to get started.

Key Resources

Plan Your Visit | Colonoscopy and Insurance Coverage FAQs

Types of Colonoscopy

Screening

A screening colonoscopy is performed when you have no symptoms, to check for colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps. Recommended starting at age 45 for average-risk patients.

Diagnostic

A diagnostic colonoscopy is used to evaluate symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, or rectal bleeding.

Surveillance

If you've had polyps before, a surveillance colonoscopy is scheduled at regular intervals based on your individual history and risk level.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the procedure take?

From check-in to discharge, plan for about 90 minutes to two hours. The procedure itself is typically 30 minutes or less. The rest is prep and recovery time.

Will I feel anything during the procedure?

You'll be sedated throughout. Most patients don't feel discomfort or remember the procedure at all.

When will I get my results?

Initial findings are shared before you leave. Final pathology results are typically available within a few days, delivered through MyChart or by phone.

Can I drive after my procedure?

No. Sedation affects your reflexes longer than it might feel like it does. You'll need someone to drive you, and you shouldn't drive until the day after your procedure or operate any heavy machinery.