Benchmark Study

39% have a cancellation fee.

Fees range from $35 to $500.

The cancellation deadlines range from 2 to 14 days before the colonoscopy.

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) recommends having a written policy that defines a late cancellation and states the amount a patient would be charged for a late cancellation or no show.

31% have clear NPO instructions.

We counted "do not eat or drink anything" (or similar) as clear.

We did not count "nothing by mouth" as clear, because a 2022 study found 25% of people did not know what it means.

73% tell patients to avoid certain foods.

Most say to avoid high-fiber foods at least 3 days before colonoscopy.

The USMSTF recommends “limiting dietary modifications to the day before colonoscopy for ambulatory patients at low risk for inadequate bowel preparation.”

48% have instructions about diabetes.

Some have general instructions about adjusting diabetes medicine. Others direct patients to talk with their current doctor.

A 2023 review recommends that people with diabetes "should be given a personalized diet plan by their healthcare provider for the days leading up to their colonoscopy."

69% can be personalized.

We counted instructions with blanks or boxes to write patient-specific prep timing, prep steps, arrival time, etc.

A 2016 study found personalized bowel prep patient education "significantly improved adequate preparations."

88% are above 8th grade reading level.

We analyzed the text using the SMOG.

The AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit recommends all paitent education be at a 6th grade reading level.

32% have images.

We counted images for patient education (not logos or other unrelated artwork).

A 2025 review lists many studies showing that visuals improve bowel prep.

90% have a phone number.

We counted any phone number on the document, even if there was no clear invitation to call with questions.

The AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit suggests having the clinic phone number on all patient materials and that "patients get frustrated if they have trouble reaching their practice by phone."