Larissa Biggers

The Definition of “Difficult” A difficult colonoscopy is one “in which the endoscopist has trouble getting through the entire colon or fails to do so,” said Dr. Jerome Waye, in …

If Colonoscopy Is the Gold Standard, Why Is Compliance So Low? In 2018, 50,630 people in the United States will die of colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society …

What is looping? During colonoscopy, looping is a frequent challenge. It occurs when the colonoscope stretches and distends the colon in response to the physician’s efforts to advance the scope …

Part of what makes colonoscopy the gold standard for colon cancer screening is its safety profile. The risk of serious complications is low (perforations and post-procedure bleeding occur in only …

What’s driving Propofol use for colonoscopy, better patient care or a better bottom line? Just 10 years ago, moderate sedation—a combination of short-acting anxiety and pain medications administered by a …

Preventing staff injury and ensuring patient safety are paramount to healthcare system success and positive patient outcomes. But in the moment (i.e., when face-to-face with a patient who needs assistance) …

Does FIT Measure up to Colonoscopy? How do fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) stack up to colonoscopy, the gold standard for colon cancer screening? Admittedly, FIT might sound pretty good—no special …

In terms of quality, safety, and patient satisfaction, screening colonoscopies performed by nurse practitioners (NPs) are equivalent to those of physicians, according to the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology …

There’s a saying about nurses: Save one life, you’re a hero. Save 100, and you’re a nurse. Nurses are a dedicated bunch, routinely sacrificing their safety for that of their …

Have you heard? The American Cancer Society’s new screening guidelines for colorectal cancer recommend starting screening at age 45 instead of 50. That’s great news for Americans worried about the …