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“We spent close to half-a-million dollars for completely new, state-of-the-art endoscopy equipment to give our patients the best possible care.”
—Crystal Fipps, RN, CNOR, Surgical Services Manager
CRHS Surgical Services (May, 2006):
Hospital’s New Endoscopy Equipment Is “World Class”
Area residents whose physicians prescribe an endoscopic procedure can rest easy, knowing that Columbus Regional Healthcare System recently bought all new endoscopy equipment that is among the best in the world.
“We’ve completely upgraded” the endoscopic department, says Crystal Fipps, RN, CNOR, surgical services manager. The department, which features two “completely renovated” endoscopic suites and two portable units that can be used in various areas of the hospital, has “all new equipment … new scopes, monitors and new computer software.”
Endoscopy, which was first used in the early part of the last century, lets physicians examine and inspect different areas inside the body by inserting thin tubes that provide lighting and visualization of the area being observed. It can be used to diagnose various medical conditions or, in some cases, to even treat those conditions.
“Our surgeons were involved in the selection process,” says Fipps. “They tried equipment from different companies, and voted to purchase the Fujinon S-2200 series. And they trained on the new equipment before they started using it on patients” last November.
Before the widespread use of endoscopy, most internal conditions could only be diagnosed or treated with major surgery. Today, an average of about 300 endoscopic procedures – many of them done on an outpatient basis – are performed monthly at Columbus Regional Healthcare System. The procedures include:
§ Bronchoscopy, an examination of different parts of the lungs to look for everything from infections and abscesses to cancer and tuberculosis.
§ Colonscopy, an exam of the inside of the colon and large intestine to detect tumors, inflammation and various diseases.
§ EGD, a look at the upper GI (gastro-intestinal) tract to reveal inflammation, hernias, ulcers and other conditions.
“The technology in this field has changed rapidly,” says Fipps. “The new equipment has sharper images, is surgeon-specific and has the latest in reporting software technology.”
 Pictured (L-R): Crystal Fipps, RN, CNOR, Surgical Services Manager and Joyce Duncan, RN, Endo Charge Nurse.
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