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Patient Care Services
The Endoscopy Center of Greenwich Hospital
The new Endoscopy Center of Greenwich Hospital is now offering colonoscopy and other common outpatient screenings for gastrointestinal disorders. Located at 500 W. Putnam Avenue in Greenwich, this modern center has four endoscopy suites, including private preparation and recovery bays equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The center's specialized staff, including seven gastroenterologists, is dedicated to making the patient's visit comfortable and efficient. All services are performed on an outpatient basis. A streamlined admissions and discharge process allows patients to return home after just a few hours. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3:30 pm. Questions? Please contact your physician.
Endoscopy
Endoscopic screening tests provide important information to help diagnose and treat a variety of conditions and illnesses, including ulcers, inflammation and polyps. During an endoscopic procedure, a gastroenterologist uses an endoscope (a flexible tube with a lighted end) to obtain clear images of the lining of the gastrointestinal or GI tract.
The two most common types of endoscopic procedures are:
- colonoscopy, which checks the entire colon in the lower part of the GI tract
- upper GI endoscopy, which checks the upper part of the GI tract, including esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum)
Patients who are scheduled for an upper endoscopy or colonoscopy are required to follow certain medical and dietary guidelines several days prior to the procedure. To view the guidelines, click here for Patient Education information on 'Preparing for Your Colonoscopy or Upper Endoscopy Procedure', or, call your physician.
Colonoscopy
This procedure uses a colonoscope, a flexible tube-like device outfitted with a miniaturized camera, to take pictures of the colon. The colonoscope allows a physician to obtain a small tissue sample, apply medications or heat treatment directly to the lining of the colon, or remove polyps. Polyps are abnormal growths in the lining of the colon, which can become cancerous. Removing polyps is an important way to prevent colon cancer. A colonoscopy takes from 30 to 40 minutes. During the procedure, patients may feel some discomfort but rarely any pain. Patients receive medication intravenously to make them relaxed and drowsy. The span of service in the Endoscopy Center may last two to three hours, from admission through discharge.
Colonoscopy can also be used to
- assess changes in bowel habits, such as chronic diarrhea
- detect inflammation, diseases and conditions of the colon
- find the cause of bleeding or pain from the lower gastrointestinal tract
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colonoscopy is a safe, simple and effective way to check for cancer and treat suspicious colon polyps. Screening is important because the early stages of the disease, when it's most curable, do not cause symptoms. The American Cancer Society recommends all men and women age 50 and older have a screening colonoscopy to check for signs of colon cancer, even if no symptoms are present. People with a family history of colon cancer should begin screening at an earlier age. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women in the United States. To learn more, see the Colorectal Cancer Services section of this web site in Cancer/Oncology.
Upper GI Endoscopy
During an upper GI endoscopy, the flexible, lighted endoscope is inserted into the mouth, down the esophagus and into the stomach and/or duodenum. Patients may receive medication beforehand to keep the throat more comfortable as the instrument is gently positioned into place. The procedure does not interfere with breathing and there should not be any associated pain.
During the procedure, the physician will look closely for any problems that require evaluation, diagnosis or treatment. Sometimes, the doctor may take a sample of tissue, called a biopsy, which will later be examined under a microscope. The entire procedure is relatively quick, usually taking about 20 minutes to perform.
Upper endoscopy helps the doctor evaluate symptoms of persistent upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. It can be used to:
- diagnose gastrointestinal reflux, Barrette's syndrome and other chronic conditions
- detect inflammation, ulcers and tumors of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum
- find the cause of bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract
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