Gastroenterology Endoscopy

Welcome to our Endoscopy Suites. We have three endoscopy suites that are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and highly experienced and caring staff to serve you. Our Board Certified Gastroenterologists perform the following procedures:

  • Colonoscopy
  • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
  • Prolonged esophageal pH studies
  • Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

When appropriate, conscious sedation is provided with Propofol and administered by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist to ensure your comfort during the procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why go to a Board Certified Gastroenterologist for your procedure?
Learn more at: https://www.asge.org/

Does someone need to be with me at home after the procedure?
Yes, per Colorado State regulations, you must have a responsible adult (18 years of age or older) with you upon discharge that can drive you home. We recommend you have a responsible adult with you for 24 hours after your procedure. This is for your safety and protection. Your procedure may be canceled if this requirement is not addressed.

Direct Access Endoscopy

Direct access endoscopy is a means to receive a diagnostic or screening procedure by allowing patients to refer themselves or have their primary care provider refer them directly for upper or lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy without a prior GI consultation visit.

Patients without significant medical problems can have their primary care provider save you the expense and delay of a consultation visit with the gastroenterologist. After the endoscopy procedure, the results will be sent to the referring primary care provider who can explain the results and treat you.

The referring provider will complete and fax the DAE order and a copy of the patient’s insurance card to the Harmony Surgery Center at (970) 297-6368.

It’s as simple as that! Our schedulers will take it from there…

After receiving the DAE order from the primary care provider, the HSC Schedulers will call the patient to schedule their procedure. Our schedulers will review with the patient the prep instructions, complete additional paperwork, answer any questions regarding their procedure, and mail the patient an information packet. After the procedure, the referring provider will receive a copy of the procedure report, and pathology report if a biopsy was obtained, for continuum of care.

The advantage of the direct access endoscopy is that it will save time and money. However, sometimes it is safer to have a full medical consultation with the specialist prior to your endoscopy. A consultation with the gastroenterologist is sometimes necessary in order to assess patients with complicated medical problems. After the consultation, orders can be written to ensure appropriate medical care during the procedure.

Non-Qualifying Criteria

Certain patients may not qualify for Direct Access Endoscopy and may need a pre-procedure visit with the gastroenterologist. We want to ensure everyone’s satisfaction and safety, so if the referring provider determines that a consultation should occur, please have patients call the Center for Gastroenterology at (970) 207-9773 to schedule an office visit. In addition, if patients have any of the non-qualifying criteria listed below, they are not appropriate candidates for the Direct Access Endoscopy program and the gastroenterologists would be happy to see them in the office.

The non-qualifying criteria is as follows:

  • Patients with complex or unstable medical conditions, or patients that need to be on anticoagulation medication. (ASA 3 & 4)
  • Patients requiring therapeutic endoscopy, i.e. pneumatic dilation, peg, liver biopsy, ERCP.
  • Conditions where endoscopy is contraindicated, which include, but is not limited to acute or severe diverticulitis, suspected perforation or acute colitis.
  • Patients requiring consultation with a gastroenterologist to review complex medical history and advice on appropriateness of endoscopic studies or treatment.
  • Previous gastroplasty surgery.