Your Diagnostic Test: What It Is, Why Results Are Recorded, and What to Expect Afterward
A documentation of any adverse events or complications that occur during or after a colonoscopy procedure.
{"Records any complications or side effects during colonoscopy","Helps healthcare providers monitor patient safety","Important for quality improvement in endoscopy procedures","May include information on bleeding, perforation, or reactions","Used for patient follow-up and medical records"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 111908-0
- Short code
- AE-COL-NARR
- Synonyms
- Advrs evnt info Colon Endscpy
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Standard endoscopy specimen containers if biopsies obtained; otherwise documentation form
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- endoscopy
- CPT
- 45378-45385 (colonoscopy codes) or 45390-45398 (therapeutic colonoscopy)
- SNOMED
- 73761001 (colonoscopy procedure)
- Specimen volume
- N/A - narrative documentation test
- Stability
- N/A - clinical documentation
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test, and what does it measure? This test gives your healthcare provider important information about how your body is working and helps identify possible medical conditions that may need further evaluation, monitoring, or treatment based on your symptoms and overall health.
The Colonoscopy Adverse Event Information test is not a traditional blood or chemistry test. Instead, it is a documentation process that records any adverse events, complications, or unusual occurrences that happen during or after a colonoscopy procedure. This includes but is not limited to bleeding, perforation, infection, reactions to sedation medications, or any other unexpected events that may arise during the examination.
Why is this information recorded? Your care team records these results in your medical chart so they can track changes in your health over time, compare them with earlier or future test results, share them with other members of your healthcare team, and make well-informed decisions about your ongoing care and treatment plan.
Recording adverse event information is crucial for several reasons: it helps healthcare providers track patient safety, enables quality improvement in endoscopy procedures, supports proper follow-up care, and contributes to medical research on colonoscopy outcomes. This documentation ensures that any complications are properly addressed and that future patients can benefit from lessons learned.
What happens after the procedure? Once the procedure is finished, you may be watched briefly to make sure you are feeling well before you go home. Your samples or measurements will be analyzed, and your provider will review the results with you, explain what they mean, and discuss any next steps, follow-up visits, or additional testing that may be needed.
After your colonoscopy, your healthcare team will document any observations or events that occurred during the procedure. If you experience any unusual symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, fever, or other concerning signs after the procedure, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. This adverse event documentation helps ensure you receive appropriate follow-up care if needed.
Reference range
Not applicable - this is a qualitative narrative documentation test for adverse events, not a quantitative measurementN/A
Standard colonoscopy preparation instructions apply. Patient should follow bowel prep protocol as directed by ordering physician. Document any adverse reactions to prep medications.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
The clinical significance of adverse event documentation in colonoscopy includes: early detection of complications, assessment of procedure safety, quality assurance monitoring, medico-legal documentation, and improvement of endoscopic techniques. This information helps gastroenterologists evaluate risks and make informed decisions about future procedures. Adverse event rates are also used as quality indicators for endoscopy centers and help establish best practices for patient care.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a blood test?
Will I know if there were any adverse events during my procedure?
What are common adverse events in colonoscopy?
What should I do if I experience symptoms after colonoscopy?
Sources
- 1
- 2
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy