Patient Satisfaction With Propofol for Out Patient Colonoscopy

Outpatient colonoscopies are very common, indicated for various reasons, and are more
commonly performed in outpatient surgery or endoscopy centers. There is an increase in the
use of propofol for sedation because of the short duration of action and quick turn around
time. Propofol has been studied extensively for safety and efficacy but patient satisfaction
and preference with use has not been well documented in prospective, randomized setting. In
the context of the recent changes in healthcare reimbursement where patient satisfaction is
becoming an important metric providing data that could improve patient satisfaction is
needed.

Patients who presented for a colonoscopy with the Principal Investigator were approached to
participate in the study. After obtaining consent the patients were randomized to anesthesia
with propofol or control without propofol per random number tables provided by the
statistician. The anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist were asked to remove the paper with
the assignment from the envelope to determine which medications to give the patient. Pre-op,
intra-op, and post-op data were collected by registered nurses blinded to the anesthetic. The
day one follow-up phone call was made by the resident who was blinded to the anesthetic. Data
were collected in the pre-op, intra-op, and post-op areas by the researchers who were blinded
to the medications used.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients having an outpatient colonoscopy

Exclusion Criteria:

- High risk patients (ASA IV & V) who are not candidates for colonoscopy in an outpatient
center will be excluded.