Duke Gastroenterology of Raleigh has expanded its unit, doubling access and endoscopy options for patients in a new outpatient ambulatory surgical center (ASC). Patients now have more access to efficient, high-quality gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostics and treatment with less appointment wait time. 

Before this center, all patients were served at the hospital-based endoscopy unit and a smaller office-based unit. “We saw a community need for outpatient endoscopy and clinic services for healthy (lower-acuity) patients,” says Karen Chachu, MD, PhD, gastroenterologist and medical director of Duke Gastroenterology of Raleigh. The team successfully established and expanded this program from two to four procedure rooms with anesthesia support, including Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC), to improve access and patient comfort.

The center offers the same high-quality endoscopy services and expert gastroenterology team as the hospital setting, performing screening, diagnosis, and treatment for GI disorders using many of the latest technologies. Chachu explains, “Data suggests a high-definition scope supports better polyp lesion detection. We’ve invested in this technology to offer our patients the highest level of care possible with the best ability to detect colon cancer and potentially harmful polyps in a procedure that is as pleasant and comfortable as possible.”

Data supports the changing demographics of colorectal cancer. Chachu says that the fastest increase in colorectal cancer is among younger populations. Screening recommendations for colorectal cancer now begin at age 45 for patients with an average risk and earlier for patients with a family history of colon cancer, which widens the net of people who need screening services. 

“We are also anecdotally seeing patients as young as 30 experiencing potential colorectal cancer symptoms such as rectal bleeding and with precancerous polyps. Our outpatient center is a great fit for younger and healthier patients who need screening or diagnostic testing.” Serving more patients in the outpatient center also frees up access at Duke’s hospital-based practice for patients with more medical complexity. 

With the increased demand and capacity to serve, the team has built an efficient, thoughtful referral and scheduling process. Referrals are requested to include pertinent information, such as the specific procedure requested and urgency. Then, the nursing staff promptly reviews each referral and the patient is directed to the most appropriate location with the proper preparation to meet their needs. 

Chachu says, “We need to get patients the care they need as fast as possible. We’re always working to eliminate any lag between referral and scheduling. That helps our referring providers and patients gain confidence they will receive timely care at Duke, speeding the time to diagnosis and treatment, if necessary.”