MDNews - Minnesota

Unique Treatments MNGI DIGE STI V E HE A LTH offers many treatments that most other gastroenterology practices in the area do not, including: + Advanced care in esophageal and swallowing disorders + Hepatology and chronic liver disease + Celiac Sprue Clinic + Double balloon endoscopy of the colon and small bowel + HALO ablation for Barrett's esophagus + Peroral endoscopic myotomy + SpyGlass cholangioscopy is vita l in treating patients with IBD, these tea m members ta ke a compas- sionate approach to ca re t hat helps patients through diff icult symptoms and treatments. "Our locations a re convenient for patients, and they also make our patients feel comfortable," Dr. Keeley says. "We have experienced nurses who admin- ister infusion therapy, which can ease the anxiety that sometimes occurs when receiving infusions. If patients have a comfortable and convenient experience, they are more likely to stay compliant with their treatments." INNOVATION: RESEARCH AND MAC A s pa r t of MNGI Digestive Hea lth's commitment to providing the most com- prehensive care for patients, many of its specialists engage in research aimed at finding new treatments for GI conditions. "We often have access to clinical trials for emerging or novel IBD treatments," Dr. Keeley says. "These options are offered to patients who have failed most or all of the standard, FDA-approved IBD treat- ments currently available." Dozens of sta ff members at MNGI Digestive Hea lth assist with clinica l tria ls a nd si x members a re devoted solely to resea rch f unctions. MNGI D i g e s t i v e H e a l t h 's r e s e a r c h s e e s patients at its Plymouth, Maplewood and Northeast locations. "Outside of our core research com- mittee, we have individuals who want to present their own research projects," Dr. Grudell says. "Those individuals can present their ideas at our committee meet- ings, where we can approve projects and move them forward." A good example of new technology that has stemmed from this research is the LINX treatment — a minimally invasive procedure for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease. Dr. Grudell is a member of the research committee that helps bring clinical tri- a ls to MNGI Digestive Hea lth. MNGI Digestive Health has been involved in tri- als for the treatment of many conditions, including Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, gastroparesis, primary biliary chola ngitis a nd nona lcoholic steato- hepatitis. In addition, she helps lead innovation efforts at MNGI Digestive Hea lth a nd works to improve gastric pacemakers, Endoflip technolog y and pyloric therapies. "The Endoflip assesses pyloric tone," Dr. Gr udel l says. " If pylor ic tone is elevated, patients may require Botox injections to relax the pylorus." The constant drive to improve has resulted in the adoption and expansion of monitored anesthesia care (MAC) at MNGI Digestive Health. "Prior to creating our own anesthesia department, we did conscious sedation for many of our endoscopic procedures," Dr. Ketover says. "What we learned is that comorbid conditions — such as obesity, dia- betes and heart complications — can make any kind of sedation riskier for patients." The addition of MAC and dedicated a ne s t he si a profe s sion a l s at M NGI Digestive Health have allowed the practice to use faster-acting anesthesia medica- tions that do not cause a lengthy hangover effect after surgery. MAC also allows MNGI Digestive Health to perform more complicated procedures in an outpatient setting. Because these services are pro- vided in-house at MNGI Digestive Health's ASCs, anesthesia costs are much less than they would be in a hospital setting. "Providing MAC for patients has been an enormous success," Dr. Keeley says. "It has relieved much of the anxiety and pain that patients may have experienced with endoscopic procedures in the past." To learn more about how MNGI Digestive Health promotes innovation and positive outcomes for patients facing complex GI conditions, visit mngi.com. n M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S M I N N E S O TA ■ 2 019 1 1

• Cover