Missed work related to mid-week screening colonoscopy

Most screening colonoscopies require patients to miss work on the day of the procedure. Little is known about whether patients are taking additional time off from work, and the reasons for doing so.

The purpose of this study was to assess the patterns and reasons for missed work related to screening colonoscopies.

All outpatient screening colonoscopy procedures performed at an academic medical center over 6 months were reviewed. Exclusions included procedures performed for other indications, patients age 65 or older, procedures performed on Monday or Friday, and patients who were not working. Patients were interviewed by telephone regarding missed work time and the reasons for doing so.

Sixty-eight patients met all inclusion criteria. Thirty-four percent missed work on more than the day of the procedure. Thirty-two percent took the day prior off, 10% took the day after off, and 9% took both days off. The reason for taking the day before the procedure off was uniformly anticipation of the bowel preparation. Of those who took the day after off, 57% did so as a precautionary measure after moderate sedation, while 43% had symptoms.

One third of working patients who undergo mid-week screening colonoscopies miss work on additional days to the procedure day. Unanticipated time missed from work could increase the indirect costs of screening colonoscopy.