Independent surgery centers experienced revenue loss last year when elective surgeries were limited due to COVID-19, but many ramped cases back up and aim to stay independent if possible.
Author: Praveen Suthrum
Healio Gastroenterology presents the following reports on the most recent research on COVID-19 is gastrointestinal conditions. These reports include new research on the impact of COVID-19 in GI bleeding, GI neoplasia detection, transmission during endoscopy and its effect on fecal microbiota transmission. Anticoagulants do not increase GI bleeding in COVID-19 Anticoagulation use or antiplatelet agents were not risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, according to a study published in Journal of Internal Medicine. READ MORE COVID-19: 1st wave significantly reduced GI neoplasia detection A typically high-volume endoscopy unit in Italy saw a significant reduction in procedures in the…
INTRODUCTION In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second to lung cancer as a cause of cancer mortality and is the third most commonly occurring cancer in both men and women. A study estimated that in 2020 approximately 147,950 new CRC cases would have been diagnosed and 53,200 individuals would have died of the disease (1). Between 2011 and 2015, the average annual incidence rates per 100,000 population were 45.9 and 34.6 for men and women respectively (2). CRC incidence and mortality rates have shown a steady decline of approximately 1.7% and 3.2%, respectively per year. The decline began…
GI companies have been busy in the past month, from ASC acquisitions to partnerships. Here are nine updates from GI companies and physicians.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday announced its first-ever approval of an artificial intelligence device to help find colon lesions during colonoscopy. The GI Genius (Cosmo Artificial Intelligence) identifies areas of the colon where a colorectal polyp or tumor might be located. Clinicians then follow up with a closer examination and possible treatment. “With the FDA’s authorization of this device today, clinicians now have a tool that could help improve their ability to detect gastrointestinal lesions they may have missed otherwise,” said Courtney H. Lias, PhD, acting director of the FDA’s Gastrorenal, ObGyn, General Hospital, and Urology…
Endoscopy with linked color imaging may help improve adenoma detection, particularly among endoscopists who normally have lower adenoma detection rates, according to study results. “Linked color imaging [LCI] is a new equipment-based image-enhanced endoscopy [eIEE] designed to enhance slight color differences,” Takeshi Yamamura, MD, PhD, from the department of gastroenterology and hepatology at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, and colleagues wrote. “LCI enhances the color separation of red blood vessels and white pits, allowing similar visualization to conventional white light imaging [WLI]. Furthermore, LCI is brighter than blue laser imaging [BLI]-bright and is expected to enhance visibility to improve polyp…
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll on the well-being and work satisfaction of healthcare providers, a new survey of more than 5000 clinicians at an academic medical center illustrates. About 1 in 5 people reported considering leaving the workforce because of the challenges of working during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, 30% reported they are considering cutting back work hours. “There are a substantial number of employees and trainees who are experiencing major stress and work disruptions because of the pandemic,” lead author Rebecca K. Delaney, PhD, told Medscape Medical News. “It is particularly alarming that people who have…
Should patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis be prescribed antibiotics? What is the role of colonoscopy after recovery? Is Hartmann’s procedure (HP) the best we can do? Laparoscopic lavage, anyone? At the 2020 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons, held remotely, surgeons discussed facets of diverticulitis management that remain controversial or problematic. As the understanding of diverticulitis has evolved, so have recommendations for treatment. “More patients are being treated in outpatient settings, and we’ve seen a concomitant move from open surgeries to laparoscopic and elective procedures,” said Michael Arvanitis, MD, the section chief of colon and rectal surgery at Monmouth…
The transmission of COVID-19 in endoscopy units is unlikely in settings where cases were reduced and proper use of PPE was maintained, according to research presented at ESGE Days. Ioannis S. Papanikolaou, MD, PhD, from the hepatogastroenterology unit at Attikon General Hospital in Greece, said the COVID-19 pandemic has had significant impact on the practice of endoscopy.
The Covid-19 pandemic created the perfect test lab for telemedicine. The closure of clinics and hospitals during the early days of the lockdown, and the subsequent guidelines to avoid venturing out as much as possible, forced a massive shift to video consults, providing a crash course on how they work—and what can go wrong. Now, as doctors resume in-person visits, virtual care is poised to play a permanent role, as evidence shows that not only is it highly convenient, but it often works just as well, and sometimes better, for an unexpected range of care.