By Wendy Haaf and Glynis Ratcliffe

Humber River Health may be a community hospital, but its Endoscopy and Gastroenterology (GI) Department regularly adopts world-leading technologies to provide patients with the best possible care. “For more than 50 years, Humber has always pushed the envelope when it comes to being a leader in endoscopy,” notes Dr. Ilan Medad, Physician Director of the department.

The department took shape in 1972, when Dr. Theadore Ptak came to Humber and introduced pioneering endoscope technology. Gastroenterology is a broad term covering the function and prevention of disease throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and more. Physicians use an endoscope – a fine tube tipped with a tiny camera that can be threaded down the throat into the stomach and upper intestine – to help them see these organs without cutting patients open.

Since then, many other innovative concepts and tools, including leading-edge robotics, have been introduced.

PREVENTION AND SCREENING

A crucial part of Humber’s GI and endoscopy program is how it handles colorectal cancer screening and treatment, which is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths. Fortunately, about 90 per cent of cases can be cured when detected early.

To help get ahead of the disease, patients within Humber’s community can get diagnosed, staged, undergo surgery and, through it all, receive top-notch medical oncology expertise.

“Humber is a one-stop shop,” says Dr. Medad. “All of a patient’s care, with the exception of radiation therapy, can be provided here at Humber.”

The department handles more than cancer diagnostics, though. Dr. David Kreaden, who specializes in swallowing disorders at Humber, often sees patients when standard tests don’t reveal the problem. “There are so many patients with chest pain and trouble swallowing – it’s a huge unmet need,” says Dr. Kreaden. “At Humber, we’re privileged to have the equipment we need to sort them out.”

This includes the endoFLIP (endoluminal functional lumen imaging probe) system, a state-of-the-art tool that non-invasively measures pressures inside the esophagus, identifying disorders that cause chest pain. In a community with a high number of seniors who want to stay close to home, keeping technology like the endoFLIP accessible is crucial for meeting patients’ needs.

Every innovation that’s introduced is centred around improving the patient experience – whether that means using endoscopic ultrasound as a less invasive way of staging tumour malignancies, or employing the latest imaging processor with 4K resolution to identify smaller or more subtle polyps during a colonoscopy. “From the time a patient enters the unit to the time they leave, we’re providing efficient care,” Dr. Medad explains. “We do everything we can to minimize patient risk and ensure they’re comfortable during their procedures.”

To read our full magazine, Care Closer to Home, click here.