Here are seven updates on GI companies and practices over the past week:

The American College of Gastroenterology released its first clinical guideline on the management of irritable bowel syndrome, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology Dec. 14.

Emerging research supports non-biopsy diagnostic testing for celiac disease, according to a Dec. 14 report on Celiac.com.

A large group purchasing organization entered into a contract with Ambu for access to its single-use endoscope products, the company announced Dec. 14.

Austin Chiang, MD, has made social media a staple of his career, and now as the U.S. begins COVID-19 vaccine distribution, Jefferson Health's chief social media officer is doubling down on his efforts, The New York Times reported Dec. 14. 

Awareness of a patient's positive fecal immunochemical test or triennial multitarget stool DNA test increased adenoma detection rates among endoscopists, according to an early view study published Dec. 14 in Cancer Medicine.

The Digestive Health Physicians Association issued a statement opposing CMS' Most Favored Nation rule because it potentially limits access to infusion services.

Gastroenterologists recommend patients with inflammatory bowel disease seek out the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they become available, Medscape reported Dec. 11.

A new transitional pass-through code (C1748) took effect July 1 for providers using single-use duodenoscopes to treat Medicare patients in the hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center (ASC) settings. The pass-through code makes single-use duodenoscopes a financially viable alternative to reusable duodenoscopes.

Jacksonville-based Digestive Disease Consultants will open a 14,377-square-foot surgery center in Orange Park, Fla., in 2021, the Jacksonville Daily Record reported Dec. 14.

The biggest news stories among gastroenterology readers in 2020 dealt with COVID-19 guidelines, specialist compensation, private equity deals and more.

COVID-19-related elective procedure delays greatly affected gastroenterology in 2020 in a year that was synonymous with drastic change. 

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance issued a statement supporting new guidelines to begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45, but also petitioned for greater recognition of computed tomography colonography.

New York City-based Mount Sinai Doctors opened a third location in Yonkers, N.Y., that will focus on primary care, cardiology, neurology and gastroenterology, the Yonkers Times reported Dec. 10.

Gastroenterologists surveyed by single-use duodenoscope manufacturer Ambu said they were interested in using single-use duodenoscopes for up to half of their endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures, Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News reported Dec. 10.

  Here are the most-read GI articles during the week of Dec. 7-12:

A bilayered chenodeoxycholic acid system could relieve colon cramping and improve patient experience, according to a Dec. 8 release from Boston-based Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Silver Springs, Md.-based Capital Digestive Care opened the first HyGieaCare Center in Rockville, Md., offering patient access to same-day colonoscopy preparation, the practice announced Dec. 9.

  Here are seven updates from GI companies and practices:

  West Bridgewater, Mass.-based GI Windows was named Emerging MedTech Company of the Year by the New England Venture Capital Association, according to a Dec. 8 press release.