post colonosocpy positioning

I thought I'd share the results of our reserach study with all of you. As I had stated in a comment last 1/07, we could not find any literature to support placing pt's. on their left side after a colonoscopy. We conducted a study that has been completed as of 1/08. We shared our reserach findings in a poster at the national SGNA conf. last May in Salt Lake City. Our poster won 3rd place!! We were very excited!! Our poster is now displayed outside of our GI dep't. We are working on our article for publication.
Results: Significant differences using the analysis of variances were detected that indicate left side down is the optimal position to pass flatus and relieve pain and bloating. Pt's. that were placed on their left side passed air more quickly and were more comfortable sooner than the pt's. that were on their right side or back. The data did show that after 30 min. most pt's., regardless of which position they were in, passed the insufflated air and were comfortable.
Implications: Because this is the first known study of this topic, it needs to be replicated. Our tradition of placing pt's. on their left side post colonosocpy has been upheld. However, pt. preference of a different positoin will cause no harm to the pt.

Hopefully this will be concrete info. you can use in your GI dep'ts. This is an awesome forum to share info. like this.