Benefits of Endoscopy
Endoscopy involves the use of flexible tubes known as endoscopes to provide a close-up, color television view of your digestive tract. Upper endoscopes are passed through the mouth to visualize the esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and upper small intestine, while lower endoscopes (colonoscopes) are passed through the rectum to view the colon, or large intestine. Endoscopy has been a major advancement in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. The use of endoscopes allows for the detection of ulcers, cancers, sites of internal bleeding, swallowing disorders, and a number of other problems. Through endoscopy, tissue samples (biopsies) may be obtained, areas of blockage opened, and active bleeding stopped. Polyps are growths inside the digestive tract that over time can become cancerous. Once detected they can be removed. Endoscopy is easily performed on an outpatient basis and is usually very well tolerated by patients.

Endoscopy Center of Monroe
The Endoscopy Center of Monroe is an ambulatory care center designed specifically to perform outpatient endoscopy. The Center is equipped with state of the art equipment. All physicians and staff are trained in the latest technological advances in the treatment of your condition. The Center is committed to providing our patients with the highest quality of care available by being state licensed, Medicare certified, and accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). The Center is owned and operated by the physicians on staff who are dedicated to ensuring that the highest quality of care is delivered.

The Endoscopy Center includes three procedure suites, each equipped with video monitoring to allow for better examinations and to give a more detailed patient record. Each procedure suite contains wall suction and oxygen units, cardiac rhythm, pulse rate and oxygen saturation monitors. These suites open into a central recovery room.

A Registered Nurse oversees all phases of the recovery room. Recliners, cable television, magazines, soft drinks and fruit juices are available for your comfort during your final phase of recovery. A private conference room will be used to discuss the procedure and findings with you and your family.

Physicians and Staff
The Endoscopy Center's physicians are Board Certified Gastroenterologists. This means that they have demonstrated competence in the clinical care of patients and have passed the certifying examination in Gastroenterology. The Endoscopy Center supports the American Board of Internal Medicine in its mission to improve the quality of medical care by developing superior standards. All physicians have also received certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

The Endoscopy Center of Monroe is staffed with registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and registered medical assistants who are all highly trained to assist with procedures and equipment. The Staff regularly attends continuing medical education courses. Our nurses are members of the Society of Gastrointestinal Nursing Association.

Procedures
Examples of procedures performed at the Endoscopy Center of Monroe include:

Follow Up Care
The Endoscopy Center strives to provide the highest quality care available in Northeast Louisiana. Programs are designed to make certain that medical procedures are performed according to specific indications and that patients are well monitored and cared for during their stay. With this in mind, a staff member will contact you following your procedure to assess your recovery and determine if your expectations were met. We also have survey forms available to help us evaluate your satisfaction. Your responses help us measure the Center's success.

Billing/Insurance
The Endoscopy Center requests that you pre-register and complete a medical history form at least two days prior to your procedure. You are requested to bring all insurance cards and forms when pre-registering. Many insurance companies now require pre-certification, or prior approval for medical expenditures. The Center will do its best to solve any insurance payment problems; however, please remember that ultimately, the patient is responsible for full payment.

You can expect two separate statements after testing: The physician's fee for performing the test and the facility fee (like the hospital) which covers all the drugs, medical supplies, equipment and other expenses involved in testing.

An insurance representative will help file all insurance forms and will answer any questions about billing. For additional help, please call the Endoscopy Center billing office at (318) 327-3107.