For Patients and Visitors
What is the Service?
The Department of Respiratory Medicine offers a Bronchoscopy service. Bronchoscopy uses a long thin camera called a bronchoscope to diagnose various types of lung disease, such as lung cancer, infection, and interstitial lung disease. The camera is introduced into the lungs through the mouth and can be used to take a sample of the lung safely. The procedure is performed by a respiratory specialist. Bronchoscopy is performed under light sedation with the assistance of an Anaesthetist.
We use different types of scopes to perform bronchoscopy depending on the indication of the procedure. Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) is an advanced form of bronchoscopy that uses a specialised bronchoscope that uses an additional ultrasound to help better locate lung masses and lymph nodes to ensure improved accuracy of diagnosis and safety of the procedure.
What can I expect from the service?
Once referred for a bronchoscopy you will be contacted by the bronchoscopy clinical nurse specialist from Northern Health. They will discuss the details of the procedure with you and organise your procedure time.
You will be asked to not eat or drink 4-8 hours before the procedure. If you take blood thinning medication (e.g., Clopidogrel, Warfarin, Apixaban etc) the nurse will let you know when you should stop this. Some diabetic medication will also need to be stopped prior to the procedure and the bronchoscopy nurse will advise you regarding this.
On the day of the procedure, you will come to the Day Procedure Unit at Northern Health where you will meet the respiratory and anaesthetic team who will be performing the procedure.
The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. Bronchoscopy is typically a day procedure, and you will be able to go home after a few hours of monitoring after the procedure. It is important that you have someone to pick you up after the procedure and someone to stay with you overnight.
Your results (bronchoscopy report and pathology results of lung biopsy) will be sent back to your referring specialist. We will work with your referring specialist to ensure a timely follow-up appointment to review of results.
What do I bring/need for my appointment?
Bronchoscopy is mostly a day procedure. You will need to bring:
- A list of your current medications
- An overnight bag with sleepwear, slippers and toiletries
- The contact details of the person who will drive you home after your procedure
Contact us
To enquire about your referral:
Bronchoscopy Clinical Nurse Consultant: Clarissa Fleming
Mobile: 0436 672 060
Email: bronchoscopy@nh.org.au
Or
Respiratory Department Office: (03) 8405 2444
For other enquiries:
Bronchoscopy Clinical Nurse Consultant: Clarissa Fleming
Mobile: 0436 672 060
Email: bronchoscopy@nh.org.au
Or
Respiratory Department Office: (03) 8405 2444
For Health Professionals
Service Overview
Northern Health’s advanced diagnostic bronchoscopy service is committed to working with referring physicians. We will provide prompt communication and feedback for all referrals. All cases will be reviewed by our team, and an appropriate procedure booked within 48 hours of referral. Services offered include:
- Flexible bronchoscopy
- Narrow-band imaging bronchoscopy (NBI)
- Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS)
- Mediastinal endobronchial ultrasound (Linear EBUS) – For sampling proximal lesions in the chest (including mediastinal staging)
- Peripheral endobronchial ultrasound (Radial EBUS) – For sampling peripheral lesions in the chest
We provide rapid access to all procedures. All procedures are performed under sedation with the assistance of our anaesthetic team. We welcome referrals for all appropriate lung pathologies.
Inclusion criteria:
Bronchoscopy/EBUS is used to diagnose many different lung pathologies including:
- Suspected lung cancer
- Suspicious pulmonary nodules
- Mediastinal staging for lung cancer
- Cavitating lung cancer
- Mediastinal lymphadenopathy
- Interstitial lung disease
Exclusion criteria:
Nil
How to Refer:
- Please complete the Bronchoscopy Referral Form and send to bronchoscopy@nh.org.au
- For any queries regarding referrals and referral process please contact bronchoscopy clinical nurse consultant. Details below.
- For clinical queries please contact Bronchoscopy lead. Details below.
- For urgent referrals please call on-call respiratory registrar via switchboard.
Director/Head of Unit:
Dr Kanishka Rangamuwa
Bronchoscopy Lead
Kanishka.rangamuwa@nh.org.au
Dr Katharine See
Head of Department
Katharine.see@nh.org.au
Enquiries:
Bronchoscopy Clinical Nurse Consultant: Clarissa Fleming
Mobile: 0436 672 060
Email: bronchoscopy@nh.org.au
Or
Bronchoscopy Lead: Dr Kanishka Rangamuwa
Email: Kanishka.rangamuwa@nh.org.au
Or
Respiratory Department Office: (03) 8405 2444
