University Hospital opens new GI lab

USA Health University Hospital recently opened a new Gastroenterology Endoscopy Lab, reducing wait times, expediting patient care and utilizing leading-edge technology.

The new 8,000-square-foot space boasts state-of-the-art Fujifilm equipment and includes five procedure rooms.

“The division of gastroenterology has experienced huge growth over the past few years,” said Sam Dean, administrator at University Hospital. “This growth has been instrumental in the success we have seen not only as a hospital, but as a health system. It soon became clear to us that the original space was not adequate to meet our volume nor the newest equipment that our providers needed for our patients.”

With that in mind, a team of dedicated people took on the project to determine where to create a new gastroenterology lab and how best to utilize the space available.

“When we started, we had two goals in mind,” said Benjamin Niland, M.D., interim program director of the division of gastroenterology and assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. “First, we wanted to ensure our patients have an excellent clinical experience. We also wanted to create the best environment for our care providers to deliver the highest quality of care possible.”

With a growing USA primary care base, the clinic also instituted an open access endoscopy clinic for patients in need of colon cancer screening. “The new service is operated by our advanced practice providers,” Niland said. “They will perform a phone interview with the patient to determine their fitness for open access endoscopy. In this way, the patient can be prepared and scheduled for their colonoscopy procedure with a telehealth phone visit.”

As an academic health system, Niland said, we also have the added responsibility of training the next generation of physicians. “This modern lab enables us to introduce our students and residents to the GI-world of today,” he said.

To make an appointment, please call 251-660-5555. For more information, visit Digestive Health.