Mercy's Gastroenterology Clinic offers inpatient and outpatient procedures. Also known as Endoscopy, this department provides pre-, intra- and post-procedure nursing care for all patients having endoscopic procedures.
The most common procedures we offer are the colonoscopy and gastroscopy.
Endoscopy also performs gastrostomy tube placement, esophageal dilation, foreign body removal and the following procedures:
Breath Testing
Breath testing is a noninvasive way to help doctors diagnose a number of conditions. By analyzing your breath, we can measure the amount of certain gases, allowing doctors to arrive at a diagnosis quickly and accurately.
1/1/19 – 12/31/19
Source: Press Ganey
Capsule Endoscopy
This diagnostic procedure detects diseases of the three portions of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum). The patient ingests a vitamin pill-sized video capsule, which travels through the body, relaying images to a data recorder worn by the patient for about eight hours. The physician then reviews the images to determine causes for recurrent symptoms (abdominal pain, bleeding, diarrhea or anemia).
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is used in routine screenings of the colon for cancer or polyps, or to pinpoint the cause of abnormal symptoms such as anemia, bleeding lesions, abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, constipation or changes in bowel habits. It can also detect ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulosis/diverticulitis and hemorrhoids. A colonoscopy can both identify and correct a problem in the colon. It involves visual examination of the large intestine (colon), using a lighted, flexible video endoscope.
The American Cancer Society recommends anyone over age 45 – men and women – have a screening colonoscopy. If a family member has had colon cancer, the ACS recommends having this screening test done sooner.
Learn more about what to expect and how to prepare for your colonoscopy procedure and watch videos on the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center colon cancer page to learn more about the importance of a screening colonoscopy.
Mercy is the first hospital in Iowa to use GI Genius™ and AI technology to assist in polyp detection. Learn more.
Schedule your colonoscopy phone consultation.
Colonoscopy with Complex Polypectomy
This involves visual examination of the large intestine (colon), using a lighted, flexible video endoscope to remove more involved polyps found in addition to the typical colonoscopy exam.
EGD (Upper Endoscopy/Gastroscopy)
A gastroscopy or EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is a visual exam of the upper intestinal tract using a lighted, flexible video endoscope. This procedure detects abnormalities in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (part of the small bowel). A gastroscopy is used to diagnose or treat ulcers in the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, tumors of the stomach or esophagus, swallowing problems, upper abdominal pain, intestinal bleeding, heartburn and gastritis. View procedure instruction sheet (PDF).
ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography)
In this procedure, dye is injected into the bile and pancreatic ducts and X-rays are taken. This procedure helps detect and/or correct a problem with gallstones, blockages of the bile duct, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), cancer of the pancreas or bile ducts, jaundice, and undiagnosed upper-abdominal pain. If a gallstone is found, it is removed during this exam. Blockage of the bile duct can also be relieved.
Esophageal Manometry
This diagnostic procedure pinpoints any swallowing problems within the esophagus by evaluating the muscular coordination inside the esophagus.
Esophageal pH Study
A diagnostic tool used to find the cause of chronic heartburn or indigestion. To detect causes, the pH levels in the patient's esophagus must be measured. Usually, this means placing a catheter down the patient's nose and into the esophagus, which can cause discomfort. However, Mercy Digestive Health Center uses the Bravo pH system, which is catheter-free. A pH capsule is attached to the esophagus, measuring pH levels for 24 to 48 hours. The information is transmitted to a pager-sized receiver worn on a belt; the data is then analyzed by the physician.
FibroScan
FibroScan is a specialized ultrasound machine for your liver. It measures fibrosis (scarring) and steatosis (fatty change) in your liver. Fatty change is when fat builds up in your liver cells. FibroScan will help your healthcare provider learn more about your liver disease.
Sigmoidoscopy/Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
A flexible sigmoidoscopy (sig-moi-DOS-kuh-pee) is an exam used to evaluate the lower part of the large intestine (colon). During a flexible sigmoidoscopy exam, a thin, flexible tube (sigmoidoscope) is inserted into the rectum.
A tiny video camera at the tip of the tube allows the doctor to view the inside of the rectum and most of the sigmoid colon — about the last two feet (61 centimeters) of the large intestine. If necessary, tissue samples (biopsies) can be taken through the scope during a flexible sigmoidoscopy exam.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy doesn't allow the doctor to see the entire colon. As a result, any cancers or polyps farther into the colon can't be detected with flexible sigmoidoscopy alone.
