Gastroenterology’s growing reliance on anesthesia-supported sedation is emerging as a constraint on endoscopy capacity, particularly in rural areas where workforce shortages have forced some ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and endoscopy centers to close for the day. According to Amy Oxentenko, MD, vice dean of practice and chief patient experience officer at Mayo Clinic, the dependency developed as procedures became more complex and patients presented with greater sedation-related risks. However, anesthesia support has increasingly become routine, even when moderate sedation administered by gastroenterologists may be appropriate.
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