Ph: (828) 328-3300
Thursday, November 21, 2024

What You Can Expect at Our Endoscopy Center

Thank you for choosing the Gastroenterology Associates Endoscopy Center to provide your medical care. You can be assured that we will do our best to make your visit as comfortable and convenient as possible. Here is what you can expect with your visit to our award-winning state-of-the-art Endoscopy Center.

Pre-Procedure

In the Pre-Procedure area, we will begin by obtaining your health assessment data and vital signs. We will also start an IV for you. You will have an opportunity to meet with and ask questions of your anesthesia provider and the gastroenterologist who will perform your exam.

A family member or friend is welcome to come back with you to the Pre-Procedure area or stay in the waiting area until your procedure is complete. Your driver, family member, or friend must stay here at our Endoscopy Center the entire time you are with us.

Procedure Room

Once you arrive in the Procedure Room, the average time for a colonoscopy exam is normally 20-30 minutes. An upper endoscopy exam usually takes 5-10 minutes. Please be aware, however, that on occasion, some procedures do take longer to perform due to poor bowel preps and the extra time it takes to remove polyps and to perform biopsies.

We provide individualized care for all our patients. We will take as much time as necessary to perform needed procedures and provide a thorough exam for each patient. We appreciate your patience if we are behind schedule.

Recovery Area

After your procedure is complete, you will be in the Recovery Area until you are ready for discharge. This is usually about 30 minutes if no additional tests are required. After the procedure, your physician will discuss the results of your procedure with you and your family member or friend and answer any questions. Your family member/friend will be able to wait with you while we check your vital signs, go over discharge instructions, and remove your IV.

Discharge

When you are ready for discharge, we ask you to wait in the post-procedure area while your driver pulls the car up to the main entrance. This is for your safety. After this, we will escort you downstairs to your vehicle. Due to the sedation, you will not be allowed to drive home afterward. No cab rides are allowed.

Please complete a Patient Satisfaction Survey and let us know how we can improve anything in our facility.

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A COLONOSCOPY EXAM.

If you are healthy and have no symptoms, call 828-624-1358 to schedule a screening colonoscopy. A registered nurse will take your medical history over the phone and schedule your appointment. If you are having symptoms, you need a referral from your Primary Care Physician.

Our Office in Hickory, NC

Gastroenterology Associates, P.A.
415 North Center Street, Hickory, NC 28601

Endoscopy Center - 3rd Floor, Suite 300
Clinic - Lower Level, Suite 002
Infusion Center - Lower Level, Suite 002

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Contact Us

Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

(828) 328-3300
(828) 328-9101

Our on-call physician can be reached through the Frye Regional Medical Center at (828) 315-5000 (established patients only)

ASGE Recognized Unit for Quality and Safety

ASGEThe state-of-the-art Endoscopy Unit at Gastroenterology Associates is recognized by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) for outstanding measures of quality and safety. The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program honors endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscope reprocessing, Centers for Disease control (CDC) infection control guidelines, and specialized staff training.

At Gastroenterology Associates, patient safety comes first and this program helps us continue to provide our patients the safest and best care possible.

Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence and innovation in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with more than 13,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education.

AAAHC Accredited Endoscopy Facility

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1979. AAAHC is a leader in developing standards to advance and promote patient safety, quality care, and value for ambulatory health care through peer-based accreditation processes, education, and research.

The AAAHC accreditation means the endoscopy facility at Gastroenterology Associates has undergone rigorous professional scrutiny by AAAHC professionals, including on-site review with comprehensive assessment of compliance with AAAHC Standards for the entire organization. Gastroenterology Associates achieved nationally recognized standards for quality care, service and performance.

For appointments and questions:
Call:   (828) 328-3300