REVOLUTIONARY ENDOSCOPY PLATFORM HELPS SOUTHWEST ENDOSCOPY CENTER PHYSICIANS DELIVER STATE-OF-THE-ART PATIENT CARE
Southwest Endoscopy Center Acquires New Olympus EVIS EXERA III Endoscopy System to Facilitate Earlier Digestive Disease Detection and Treatment
DURANGO, CO – March 14, 2014 – Southwest Endoscopy Center is the first healthcare facility in Western Colorado and the Four Corners region to acquire the Olympus EVIS EXERA III video endoscopy system. Previously, the image enhanced endoscopy capabilities that are now used routinely at our facility in Durango were only available in a few facilities in the large metropolitan areas of Denver, Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, Phoenix or Salt Lake City. Endoscopy systems, through the collaborative use of a video processor, light source, endoscope and monitor, enable physicians to peer inside the human body to diagnose, detect and treat gastrointestinal (GI) diseases and other conditions. The advanced imaging in the EVIS EXERA III system will help Southwest Endoscopy Center physicians detect GI diseases, such as colorectal cancer (CRC), at an earlier stage when treatments are most successful.
The third-generation EVIS EXERA III system provides notably improved image quality, added brightness and several key technologies such as HDTV for superior clarity; next-generation Narrow Band Imaging for enhanced observation of mucosal tissue; and dual-focus capabilities that allow physicians to switch the depth of field from normal focus to near focus for more detailed observation of suspected lesions. These new technologies are designed to help physicians provide their patients with more accurate and earlier diagnoses.
“The clarity on the new Olympus EVIS EXERA III system is exceptional, helping me to more clearly detect abnormalities, even at their earliest stages,” says Dr. Patrick Gerstenberger at the Southwest Endoscopy Center.
Early detection can improve treatment outcomes, reduce overall healthcare costs and improve the quality of life for patients. To aid in early detection, the American Cancer Society recommends that beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should be screened for CRC and polyps, and those with personal or family risk factors should be tested even earlier.
Revolutionary Endoscopy Platform Delivers State-of-the-Art Patient Care
In addition to helping Southwest Endoscopy physicians detect and diagnosis disease at an earlier stage, the EVIS EXERA III system should improve comfort for patients as well. Technologies such as Passive Bending (for following contours in the colon), High Force Transmission (for improved sensitivity to a physician’s movements) and Variable Stiffness (to meet the unique anatomical needs of the patient) all deliver better control to the physician and help to improve comfort for the patient.
“The improved handling on the new Olympus EVIS EXERA III scopes is particularly helpful in situations that require advanced endoscopic technique. It also makes the entire experience much easier on my patients,” says Dr. Gerstenberger.
“With the acquisition of the Olympus EVIS EXERA III system at our center, our goals are to improve the efficiency of our operation, enhance our diagnostic capabilities, and foremost, deliver world-class care to our patients. With this advanced technology, we may be able to provide our patients with more accurate diagnoses, shorten their procedure times, and improve their overall procedural experience,” says Dr. Gerstenberger.
ABOUT THE SOUTHWEST ENDOSCOPY CENTER
Southwest Endoscopy is a state-licensed and Medicare-certified ambulatory surgery center specializing in the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy, which includes procedures such as colonoscopy for the identification and removal of potentially precancerous growths. It is the only accredited outpatient facility providing endoscopy services in Western Colorado and the only facility in Western Colorado recognized by the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy for promoting quality in endoscopy care. Since opening in 2001 Southwest Endoscopy has been the leading provider of endoscopic services in Southwest Colorado, performing over 34,000 endoscopic procedures in a convenient, safe, private, comfortable and cost-effective manner.
ABOUT OLYMPUS
Olympus is a precision technology leader in designing and delivering imaging solutions in healthcare, life science and photography. Through its healthcare solutions, Olympus aims to improve procedural techniques and outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for patients.