The American Gastroenterological Association has launched Nigel, an AI-powered virtual assistant designed specifically for gastroenterology and hepatology, providing clinicians with rapid, evidence-based answers grounded in AGA clinical guidelines. Unlike general-purpose AI tools, Nigel is built on peer-reviewed guidance using the GRADE evidence framework and offers transparent recommendations that include the strength of evidence and areas of uncertainty. The tool is designed to support point-of-care clinical decision-making by summarizing guidelines, interpreting evidence, validating diagnostic and treatment approaches, and reducing the time clinicians spend searching the literature. With a knowledge base that updates as new AGA guidance is published, Nigel reflects the…
Author: Abhay Panchal
AMSURG has expanded its gastroenterology footprint by acquiring five endoscopy centers in North Carolina, just weeks after becoming part of Ascension. The acquisition adds 15 gastroenterologists and hepatologists across five facilities that provide colonoscopy, endoscopy, therapeutic GI procedures, and capsule endoscopy services. The deal highlights how consolidation in outpatient GI care continues beyond physician practices, with large ASC operators expanding regional networks to increase procedural capacity and market presence. It also signals that AMSURG’s nearly $4 billion acquisition by Ascension is already translating into growth through targeted investments in high-demand ambulatory endoscopy centers.
Hawaii has passed legislation eliminating out-of-pocket costs for follow-up colonoscopies after a positive colorectal cancer screening test, aiming to remove a key barrier that often prevents patients from completing the screening process. The law, which takes effect in 2027, also creates a financial assistance program for uninsured and underinsured residents seeking colorectal cancer screening and treatment. The state also approved broader healthcare measures, including fertility preservation coverage for patients undergoing treatments that may cause infertility and a medical debt forgiveness program expected to erase up to $91 million in debt for as many as 50,000 residents. Together, the policies reflect…
A large real-world study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that virtual multidisciplinary GI care can deliver meaningful improvements in patient outcomes at national scale. The analysis of more than 11,000 patients treated across all 50 U.S. states showed that 92.4% reported symptom improvement and nearly 90% achieved symptom control, with most patients reporting minimal disruption to daily life after care. The study also found that integrating gastroenterologists with dietitians and behavioral health specialists was a key driver of better outcomes. Patients who engaged more frequently with the care team experienced the greatest symptom improvement, while the…
A large real-world study across the U.S. Veterans Health Administration found that making AI-powered computer-aided detection (CADe) available during colonoscopy significantly increased adenoma detection rates, addressing concerns that the technology’s benefits seen in clinical trials may not translate to routine practice. Across more than 330,000 colonoscopies, facilities equipped with CADe experienced a meaningful improvement in adenoma detection compared with control sites, while detection of other lesions and procedure withdrawal times remained unchanged. The findings suggest that AI can enhance colonoscopy quality in everyday clinical settings, although researchers note that its long-term impact on colorectal cancer outcomes and the potential risk…
A phase 2 GALAXY study presented at the ESMO Gastrointestinal Cancers Congress 2026 suggests that circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing after surgery could help identify which patients with colorectal cancer that has spread to the liver are most likely to benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Researchers found that patients who underwent upfront surgery and had detectable ctDNA after surgery experienced substantially better outcomes when treated with chemotherapy, with 4-year overall survival improving from 33% to 65% and disease-free survival increasing from 7% to 38% compared with those who did not receive chemotherapy.
A new study suggests that disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs)—such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia—rarely occur in isolation. Instead, many patients experience multiple overlapping gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal conditions, reinforcing the need for a more comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. Researchers found that patients with DGBIs were more likely to have additional GI disorders as well as conditions such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain syndromes, fatigue, and other functional disorders. These overlapping conditions were associated with a higher symptom burden, poorer quality of life, and greater healthcare utilization compared with patients who had a single disorder. The…
CMS’ proposed 2027 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) payment rule includes several changes that could significantly affect gastroenterology practices and ASCs. While overall ASC payments would increase modestly, many high-volume GI procedures would face reimbursement cuts, continuing financial pressure on endoscopy services. Among the six highest-spending ASC specialties, gastroenterology is one of only two projected to receive lower payments, with an estimated 2% reduction in aggregate reimbursement for 2027. High-volume procedures such as colonoscopy with lesion removal, colonoscopy with biopsy, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsy are each expected to see approximately 2% payment cuts,…
Today’s endoscopy suite is poised for a major transformation, driven by rapid advances in imaging technology, artificial intelligence, and device innovation. Speaking at the 2026 Expert Strategies in Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal, and Liver Disorders symposium, Dr. Christopher C. Thompson explained that while endoscopy has evolved over the past century, the next wave of innovation is expected to accelerate progress significantly. A key area of advancement is imaging technology. Traditional charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors are being replaced by complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chips, which are smaller, consume less power, produce higher-resolution images with less distortion, process data faster, and are…