Telehealth provider Ro will begin offering single-dose vials of Eli Lilly’s newly approved obesity drug, Zepbound, aiming to streamline access for patients. Starting next year, individuals will be able to receive the injectable treatment through Ro’s online platform, which connects consumers directly to doctors, pharmacists, and prescription services without traditional in-person visits. Zepbound, a once-weekly injectable designed to help with significant weight loss, joins a rapidly expanding class of obesity medications that includes established names like Wegovy.
Author: Abhay Panchal
The role of a GI hospitalist—gastroenterologists dedicated exclusively to inpatient care—is gaining prominence in healthcare systems. This model enhances efficiency by allowing outpatient gastroenterologists to focus on their practices while ensuring that hospitalized patients receive specialized, immediate attention. GI hospitalists manage acute conditions such as gastrointestinal bleeding, perforations, and obstructions, providing timely interventions that can be critical for patient outcomes. The unpredictable nature of inpatient care requires these specialists to be adaptable and prepared for a dynamic work environment.
Medtronic has announced the successful first patient procedure using its next-generation PillCam™ Genius SB Kit at the University of Miami Health System. Designed to enhance diagnostics for small bowel conditions like Crohn’s disease and gastrointestinal bleeding, the kit allows patients to complete capsule endoscopies at hospitals, clinics, or home via telehealth. With advanced imaging and a patient-friendly wearable link device, the system streamlines workflows and prioritizes comfort and accessibility, aligning with Medtronic’s mission to innovate and improve patient care worldwide.
Gastro Concepts announced FDA 510(k) clearance for its innovative Air Assist™ device, a disposable tool designed to enhance colonoscopy safety and efficiency by preventing air and CO₂ escape, maintaining optimal colonic distension for better visibility. Developed by an experienced gastroenterologist, the medical-grade silicone device forms a reversible seal and enables controlled distension, streamlining procedures and improving outcomes. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Jason Slate highlighted its potential to set a new standard in colonoscopy, simplifying processes and enhancing patient care.
US Digestive Health (USDH), one of the nation’s largest gastroenterology practices, announced the addition of 19 Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) in 2024 to meet the growing demand for high-quality GI care across Pennsylvania and Delaware. Highlighting the importance of expanding access, Dr. Louis La Luna, USDH’s Chief Medical Officer, emphasized that these highly skilled APPs will play a pivotal role in ensuring timely and essential services for patients and communities. With over 40 locations and 250+ providers, USDH remains a leader in gastroenterological care, committed to innovation and meeting the challenges of rising patient needs.
The Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center at NYU Langone Health has strengthened its commitment to exceptional patient care with the appointment of two new co-directors, Drs. Jordan E. Axelrad and Andre da Luz Moreira, alongside the addition of esteemed colorectal surgeon Dr. David W. Dietz. The center integrates cutting-edge diagnostics, medical therapies, and minimally invasive surgical options for conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the diagnosis and management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), addressing long-standing challenges like diagnostic inconsistency and subjective disease scoring. By leveraging machine learning and advanced imaging, AI enhances endoscopic precision, improves histopathological analysis, and aids in disease monitoring, offering unprecedented accuracy and predictive capabilities. Emerging tools, such as AI-assisted cumulative disease scoring and real-time imaging analysis, promise to transform patient care by standardizing assessments and enabling more targeted treatments.
OpenBiome, a prominent nonprofit stool bank, has voluntarily suspended the distribution of investigational fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) preparations for treating recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI). This suspension, effective September 29, 2024, limits practitioners to FDA-approved FMT products for such cases. OpenBiome will continue supplying FMT preparations for severe fulminant CDIs, including pediatric patients, only through the end of 2024.
In this episode of the Innovation series, Dr. Parikh interviews Dr. Kosinski, founder of SonarMD. SonarMD uses digital health to perform monthly health checks, recognize early warning signs and prevent gut disease flare ups.
The gastroenterology field faced significant hurdles in 2024, marked by practice closures, legal disputes, and a growing wave of cyberattacks. These developments highlight the need for strategic and proactive approaches to ensure operational resilience and safeguard patient care. Below are 10 key events that impacted the specialty: