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Direct Access Endoscopy

doctor and patient

Direct access endoscopy is a straight-to-test diagnostic service allowing patients to refer themselves for upper or lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy without a prior GI consultation. Direct access endoscopy is offered at Mercy Fitzgerald.

Who is direct access endoscopy for?

If you are currently in good health with no medical complications, the direct access endoscopy program can help you avoid the expense and delay of an additional consultation.

Indications for direct access endoscopy include:

  • Screening for family history of colon cancer
  • Screening colonoscopy recommended age for all races/ethnicities is 45 years old
  • Suspected stomach ulcer
  • Follow-up of polyps in the bowel
  • Indigestion, heartburn
  • Acid reflux
  • Iron deficient anemia

What tests are available through direct access endoscopy?

The direct access endoscopy program features a trained staff member who will guide you through the entire process. They are available to answer questions, provide instructions for pre-test preparations, ensure that the patient has the appropriate referrals and confirm that a GI consultation is not needed.

Colonoscopy: a test that lets the doctor see inside your colon with an instrument called a colonoscope, which is a long flexible tube about the width of your index finger. The scope projects a picture onto a monitor screen so the lining of the colon can be evaluated.

Upper Endoscopy: a test that focuses on the upper part of the digestive tract with a scope similar to that used in a colonoscopy, only smaller.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: a procedure used to see inside the sigmoid colon and rectum to detect inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, ulcers and hemorrhoids. The instrument used is similar to a colonoscope, only smaller.

Wireless Capsule Endoscopy: a test used to capture images of the small intestine that cannot be seen by other routine endoscopic procedures. The capsule is about the size of a pill and contains a camera. The patient swallows the capsule which is tracked by a signal and wirelessly transfers images to a computer.

Diet or cleansing may be required in preparation for each of these tests. Our trained staff will provide you with further instructions.