6 ASCs Performing Rare or Unique GI/Endoscopy Procedures

Here are six ambulatory surgery centers that offer unique procedures in gastroenterology and endoscopy.

If you would like to recommend another surgery center for this list, contact Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com.

The Endoscopy Center (Towson, Md.). This Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care-accredited surgery center offers Stretta procedures. The procedure is an endoscopically-guided outpatient treatment that helps improves symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. "We have seen a 92 percent initial success rate with Stretta," said Mark Noar, MD, head gastroenterologist at The Endoscopy Center in a Becker's ASC Review report. "We have also been able to help patients with laryngeal or pulmonary symptoms, including sleep apnea, often eliminating their need for CPAP. In a certain subset of patients with sleep apnea, that don't present with typical reflux symptoms, they have been very responsive to the Stretta procedure because we are attacking the primary cause, which is too much reflux taking place too often into the throat or bronchial passages." Established in 1989, the surgery center performs flexible sigmoidoscopy for cancer screening, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy, in addition to Stretta. 

GI Associates & Endoscopy Center (Jackson, Miss.). The practice has multiple locations, including the Jackson Endoscopy Center. The practice's physicians offer a number of unique GI/endoscopy procedures such as capsule endoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and esophageal manometry. Capsule endoscopy allows physicians to obtain images a patient's small intestine by using a pill-sized video camera that the patient swallows. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography — ERCP — is a specialized technique used to study the bile ducts, pancreatic duct and gallbladder. Esophageal manometry measures the pressures and the pattern of muscle contractions in your esophagus. The center is recognized by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy as a center of excellence and is accredited by the American Association of Ambulatory Health Care.

Endoscopy Center of Western Colorado (Grand Junction). The center provides video capsule endoscopy procedures, in which a capsule with a video camera is swallowed by the patient, allowing physicians to obtain images of the small bowel. It has primarily been used for the diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding sites in adults. In addition, the capsule is being used increasingly for the diagnosis of small bowel tumors, vascular malformations and suspected Crohn's disease. The center also offers more traditional GI procedures, such as colonoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy.

Austin (Texas) Endoscopy Center I (North). Physicians at the center perform PillCam endoscopy, in which patients swallow a pill-sized device that allows for diagnostic imaging of the small intestine. PillCam detects disorders of the small intestine such as Crohn's disease, small bowel tumors and malabsorption disorders such as Celiac disease. The center is a part of the Austin Gastroenterology practice is accredited by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. Austin Gastroenterology and Austin Endoscopy Centers have also been recognized by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy's Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program. Austin Endoscopy Center I (North) also offers colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy and infusion services.

Surgery Center of Chattanooga (Tenn.). The surgery center offers PillCam endoscopy, which is a procedure in which the patient swallows a capsule containing a tiny camera that allows physicians to examine the small intestine and helps them detect polyps, cancer and sources of bleeding. Established in 1984, the surgery center is certified by CMS and accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care. It provides surgical services in a number of specialties in addition to gastroenterology and endoscopy such as ENT, ophthalmology, podiatry, orthopedics and pain management.

Puget Sound Surgical Center (Edmonds, Wash.). The surgery center's physicians perform transoral incisionless fundoplication, a surgical procedure for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease. The TIF procedure is performed endoscopically using the innovative EsophyX surgical device from EndoGastric Solutions. The center also provides procedures in bariatric, cosmetic and general surgery, as well as vein procedures and treatments for hernias. It is staffed by five physicians and includes preoperative and recovery areas.

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