GI & Endoscopy

The Florida Board of Medicine has placed a physician in Tampa, Fla., on probation following an administrative complaint at an ASC, Miami Herald reported Aug. 14. 

Here are five things to know about the five GI groups dominating the industry:

Several factors point to room for growth for gastrointestinal practices: the mandated age for colonoscopies is now 45 instead of 50, new colorectal cancer screenings are being developed and the prevalence of GI issues are on the rise. 

Bethlehem, Pa.-based St. Luke’s University Health Network has added endoscopist Vaishali Patel, MD, to its team of physicians, according to an Aug. 13 report from TapInto.

Fecal immunochemical tests can reduce colorectal cancer mortality rates by 33%, according to a July 19 study published in JAMA Network Open.

An inmate convicted of murder escaped a prison van that was transporting him to an appointment at Hillsborough, N.C.-based UNC Gastroenterology, according to an Aug. 13 report from the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald.

Ashis Barad, MD, a pediatric gastroenterologist, was named the first chief digital and transformation officer at New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery.

Utah Gastroenterology welcomed a new gastroenterologist to their team, reported the Daily Guardian on Aug. 12. 

The Arkansas State Medical Board has revoked the license of gastroenterologist Alonzo Williams, MD, following accusations of sexual harassment and improper prescription practices, among other allegations, the Arkansas Advocate reported Aug. 10. 

The vertical integration of physician groups and health systems is pushing colonoscopies to be performed in hospital outpatient departments over ASCs, ultimately driving Medicare and patient out-of-pocket costs up, according to a study published July 25 in Science Direct.