The Endoscopy Department at Saint Mary’s Hospital is a one-stop unit serving the needs of gastroenterology patients throughout the area.  The Ambulatory Surgery Department staff and Endoscopy Department staff work closely together to provide patient care prior to and following each procedure. 

Procedures at the center include routine colonoscopy screenings for the early detection and prevention of colon cancer and upper endoscopy procedures to diagnose and treat common digestive concerns, such as acid reflux and ulcers.  In addition to diagnostic and therapeutic gastroenterology procedures, the endoscopy staff assists with bronchoscopy procedures as well.  The unit is conveniently located on the second floor of the main building of the hospital for a fully streamlined experience from registration and check-in to discharge.

Eleven gastroenterologists, eight pulmonologists, seven registered nurses and four surgical technologists are active in the Endoscopy Department at Saint Mary’s.  Because many procedures require patients to fast, exams begin as early as 7:30 a.m. to get patients in and out of the hospital early and with minimal inconvenience or discomfort.  These examinations are scheduled by the office of the physician performing the procedure.  Procedure time varies and can take 15 minutes or longer.  Most patients are on their way home within a couple of hours, after a short recuperation period.