Iowa Specialty Hospital Introduces New Technologies for Earlier Cancer Detection and Elevated Patient Care
The Gastrointestinal department at Iowa Specialty Hospital in both Clarion and Belmond is making traditional GI screening and testing easier and more accurate. The hospital is now utilizing two new technologies: the Medtronic GI Genius™, an artificial intelligence (AI) program that helps doctors find especially tiny growths during colonoscopies, and the Medtronic PillCam™ Genius SB, a small camera inside a pill that patients can swallow in order to look at the small bowel.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S., and cases are rising in younger adults. Catching problems early is the best way to prevent serious illness. The new GI Genius™ technology uses AI to highlight areas in real time that might need a second look, helping doctors locate hard-to-find small or flat polyps that could develop into cancer. While the technology does not replace the experience of a skilled gastroenterologist, research shows this technology can increase detection by 14%, meaning more lives can be saved through early diagnosis.
“Nobody looks forward to a colonoscopy,” stated Caitlin Larson, GI Leader at Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics. “Our goal is to find and treat risks right away so you don’t have to come back for extra procedures. With the help of this new technology and our experienced team, Iowa Specialty performs a colonoscopy you can feel confident in.”
People between the ages of 45 and 75 years old should be regularly screened for colon and rectal cancer. If you have a family history of colon cancer or other risk factors, your doctor may suggest starting earlier. Talk with your healthcare provider to create a plan that’s right for you.
Iowa Specialty also utilizes the Medtronic PillCam™ Genius system – making them one of the first hospitals in Iowa to offer this new technology. This pill cam system is a capsule that is swallowed by the patient along with a compact, discreet recording device. The capsule takes thousands of pictures while traveling through the digestive system, and the recording device is so comfortable and convenient for patients, they can complete the testing while going about a normal day.
“Iowa Specialty continues to bring the newest medical technologies to rural communities,” added Larson. “You don’t have to travel to a big hospital to get advanced care – we are proud to offer it here, close to home, with the personal touch our patients expect and love.”
Iowa Specialty Hospitals & Clinics, located in north central Iowa with campuses in Belmond and Clarion, has outreach clinics in Ames, Boone, Clear Lake, Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Garner, Hampton, Rockwell, and Webster City. Their services include: orthopedics, bariatrics, behavioral health, obstetrics and gynecology, general surgery, pain management, family medicine, radiology, nursing (inpatient), ER, laboratory, rehab therapy, cardiopulmonary, pharmacy, and a wide array of specialty services. Visit IowaSpecialtyHospital.com for more information.
GI Genius™ colonoscopy, GI Genius™ intelligent endoscopy module, and PillCam™ Genius SB capsule endoscopy are registered trademarks of Medtronic.
