Olympus Endo Capsule Update photo: Robert Neroni Increase Imaging Capabilities for Patients Presenting with Small Bowel Abnormalities Olympus America Inc. 3500 Corporate Center Drive Center Valley, PA 18034 800-848-9024 olympusamerica.com Pennsylvania Hospital Gastrointestinal Associates, Ltd. (PHGI) in Philadelphia, PA, is a private physician-owned group serving patients throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. The practice was founded in 1978 and has since grown to a six-physician team specializing in outpatient gastroenterology and endoscopy procedures. Physicians see patients in two locations. The four-room Washington Square Endoscopy Center performs more than 9,000 upper and lower endoscopic procedures per year, while the nine-room PHGI office sees more than 9,500 visits annually, as well as also performing more than 100 capsule endoscopies per year. Capsule endoscopy is used to evaluate obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as to help physicians diagnose Crohns, celiac disease, and other small bowel conditions. The procedure is typically ordered after a patient’s upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy return negative and is intended to check for small bowel disease that may cause pain, low blood count and blood in bowel movements. In November 2007, PHGI management made the decision to bring capsule endoscopy into the practic

Keeping Patients Close to Home The introduction of capsule endoscopy was a strategic move for PHGI. Although it was only a relatively small percentage of their patient base that presented with indications necessitating the capsule procedure, the facility’s management knew they were missing an opportunity by not offering it. By adding capsule endoscopy to their portfolio, PHGI doctors no longer needed to refer patients outside of the office. It didn’t take us long to realize that we were sending patients out for something that we could potentially offer as well. Stephanie Diem, RN Clinical Director...