Discharge advice following a bronchoscopy
This page gives you information about the care following your bronchoscopy.
Sedation
The medications used for sedation can remain in the body for at least 24 hours, gradually wearing off.
It is therefore very important that a capable adult is available to take you home and stay with you for the next 24 hours.
It is also important that for the next 24 hours you follow the advice below:
- You should not drive or ride a bicycle as your reflexes and judgement will be impaired.
- Sedation can make you unsteady on your feet. Please be careful on stairs and have someone with you if you feel unsteady.
- Your judgement may be affected so do not make any important decisions or sign any legal documents.
- Be careful if using social media.
- You should not return to work, look after dependants, cook or operate machinery.
- You should not drink any alcohol or take sleeping tablets.
When can I eat and drink?
- You can eat and drink normally after about an hour; however, we do recommend a lighter diet for today.
- You can take your usual prescription medications when they are next due.
- It is advisable to discuss any concerns you may have about your medication with the nursing staff during discharge.
After the procedure
- You may have a sore throat for 24 to 48 hours. This is normal and will pass.
- You may cough up small amounts of blood. If this happens it should only last a short time and will settle. If you cough up significant quantities of blood, please contact the Gloucestershire Hospitals Switchboard and ask to speak to the Respiratory Consultant on call.
- Please leave the dressing over the cannula site in place for 2 hours.
- You may feel hot and sweaty or have a temperature during the 24 hours after the procedure; this is normal. An infection after a bronchoscopy is very unusual.
When to seek advice
If you develop severe pain in your neck or chest, or shortness of breath you should contact the Gloucestershire Hospitals Switchboard and ask to be put through to the Respiratory Consultant on call. Please tell the switchboard operator that you have had a bronchoscopy and it is recommended and important that you speak to the consultant.
What happens next?
A follow up appointment will be arranged by your consultant. You will receive the appointment details in the post.
A report will be sent to your GP in the next few days.
Contact information
Endoscopy Unit
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 8222
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm
Cheltenham General Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 3370
Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm
Between 6:00pm and 8:00am you should contact the:
Gloucestershire Hospitals Switchboard
Tel: 0300 422 2222
When prompted please ask for the operator then ask to be put through to the Respiratory Consultant on call.
Alternatively, you can contact NHS 111 for advice.
NHS 111
Tel 111
Feedback
To help the Endoscopy Department understand what is important to you and how we can improve our service, we would appreciate if you would take the time to complete a feedback survey.
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Alternatively, if you would prefer to scan a QR code, this is available within the PDF document at the bottom of this page.